10.6084/m9.figshare.5631880 Samuel G. Rouleau Samuel G. Rouleau Jean-Michel Garant Jean-Michel Garant François Bolduc François Bolduc Martin Bisaillon Martin Bisaillon Jean-Pierre Perreault Jean-Pierre Perreault G-Quadruplexes influence pri-microRNA processing Taylor & Francis Group 2017 Antisense Oligonucleotide biogenesis mir200c mir451a mir497 microRNA G-Quadruplex miRNA pri-miRNA processing 2017-11-24 11:17:23 Dataset https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/dataset/G-Quadruplexes_influence_pri-microRNA_processing/5631880 <p>RNA G-Quadruplexes (G4) have been shown to possess many biological functions, including the regulation of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and function. However, their impact on pri-miRNA processing remains unknown. We identified G4 located near the Drosha cleavage site in three distinct pri-miRNAs: pri-mir200c, pri-mir451a, and pri-mir497. The folding of the potential G4 motifs was determined in solution. Subsequently, mutations disrupting G4 folding led to important changes in the mature miRNAs levels in cells. Moreover, using small antisense oligonucleotides binding to the pri-miRNA, it was possible to modulate, either positively or negatively, the mature miRNA levels. Together, these data demonstrate that G4 motifs could contribute to the regulation of pri-mRNA processing, a novel role for G4. Considering that bio-informatics screening indicates that between 9% and 50% of all pri-miRNAs contain a putative G4, these structures possess interesting potential as future therapeutic targets.</p>