MicroRNA degradation and turnover: regulating the regulators

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small noncoding RNAs that play important regulatory roles in gene expression. The control of miRNA biogenesis has been well characterized, but their degradation is not fully understood. Recent discoveries indicate that miRNAs have a long life span in general. However, rapid turnover dynamics of miRNAs in a variety of specific cellular contexts has been documented, as well as the requirement of sequence elements for miRNA decay. Furthermore, several ribonucleases that degrade miRNAs have been identified. Here, we discuss the cellular contexts and biochemical mechanisms of miRNA decay, together with several prominent questions in this field. WIREs RNA 2012, 3:593600. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1114 For further resources related to this article, please visit the . The authors declare no conflict of interest.