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A positive-selection function for microRNA: an adaptor hypothesis revisited.

George Pieczenik
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Abstract

A hypothesis for coding different combinations of mRNA segments by a novel postulated function of microRNAs (miRNA) is presented. In this hypothesis, miRNA act as both coding adaptors and ligating enzymes. This hypothesis postulates an enzyme-substrate intermediate comprising a RNA triplex structure consisting of a miRNA adaptor and two mRNA configured as two turns of an A-form RNA helix. Postulating the existence of differentially expressed sets of adaptors (codes) may explain biological functions such as imprinting, differentiation, immunological escape and immunological tolerance, inter alia.

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Evolution, MolecularGenetic EngineeringMicroRNAsModels, GeneticProtein BiosynthesisRNA, CatalyticRNA, MessengerRNA, TransferSubstrate SpecificityJournal Article

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George Pieczenik. 2006. A positive-selection function for microRNA: an adaptor hypothesis revisited.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1472-6483(10)61000-0

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