… miRNA genes have been found in diverse animals, and many of these are phylogenetically
conserved. With miRNA … , evidence is mounting that animal miRNAs are more numerous, and …

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ~22 nt RNAs that coordinate vast regulatory networks in animals
and thereby influence myriad processes. This Review examines evidence that miRNAs have …

… These miRNAs are thought to regulate … function of most miRNAs is unknown, even though
many are phylogenetically conserved [2]. The first miRNA to be assigned a specific function …

… influenced phenotypic complexity and diversity during animal phylogeny. In this brief review,
… miRNAs and miRNA targets have evolved, and the potential roles of miRNAs during animal …

… encode several hundred or perhaps up to 1000 different miRNAs [9], [10], which … miRNA
identification, expression and function in animals. Particularly, we focus on the roles of miRNAs …

… Plant miRNAs 24,25 , which are not discussed here, differ considerably from animal
miRNAs in their evolution 26 , biogenesis 27 and function 28 (reviewed in refs 29,30 ). …

… miRNAs guide target RNA degradation in a manner normally attributed to siRNAs (18, 22,
23). By contrast, most animal miRNAs … However, if an animal miRNA encounters a target with …

… The miRNA guides the RISC complex to the 3′UTR of target mRNAs. Animal miRNAs usually
… The seed region (nucleotides 2–8) of miRNAs is most important for target recognition and …

… defects, whereas most other miRNAs are expressed with high … of miRNA function in
development, disease and evolution. … aid our dissection of miRNA function in animal development. …

… the function of animal microRNAs only. For a recent review of our current understanding of
the roles of microRNAs … how microRNAs contribute to different aspects of animal development …