The next level of complexity: post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small, noncoding RNAs that regulate expression of about half of human genes. Canonical miRNA biosynthesis involves two RNase III-type proteins, Drosha and Dicer. A podocyte-specific knockout of Dicer resulted in foot process effacement. In this issue, Zhdanova et al. report on targeting Drosha in a podocyte-specific fashion. Their study demonstrates an essential role of canonical miRNAs in maintaining the fully differentiated podocyte phenotype.