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miRNA Cloning Products 


 
 MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in post-transcriptional gene regulations [1]. Experimental evidence is rapidly accumulating that shows miRNAs play key roles in processes such as cellular differentiation, cell death, and cell metabolism. An miRNA is composed of a highly conserved core sequence of 21-23 nucleotides (the mature miRNA) contained within a less well conserved precursor sequence (pre-miRNA) ranging in size from 60 nucleotides to more than 120 nucleotides. This pre-miRNA sequence is part of a larger primary transcript that may contain a single pre-miRNA or two or more pre-miRNAs arranged as paired or polycistronic transcripts. Following transcription, pre-miRNAs form a characteristic stem-loop structure that is processed by the RNase III enzyme DROSHA [2] in concert with accessory proteins such as PASHA and DGCR8 [3, 4]. The pre-miRNA is then exported from the nucleus and is further processed by the DICER/RISC complex which releases the mature miRNA to carry out its regulatory function.
 
 A number of investigators have reported methods for cloning miRNAs from primary RNA sources [5-10]. IDT’s miRCAT® Small RNA Cloning kit is based upon a pre-activated, adenylated RNA linkering method and allows researchers to clone miRNAs and other small RNAs from primary RNA sources.

 
miRCat® OverviewmiRCat® Cloning KitSmall RNA Products
RNA Isolation and Enrichment: RNA species in the 18 to 26 nucleotide size range are purified from total RNA. Best results are obtained if 50-100 µg of total RNA is used; however, cloning can be performed with less mass if RNA is scarce. This size range contains mature microRNA sequences. Several options are available for purification, including denaturing PAGE, the miRVana® kit (Ambion®), or the flashPAGE® fractionator (Ambion®).
Cloning Linker Attachment: The 3’ and 5’ cloning linkers are ligated to purified small RNA species in preparation for cDNA synthesis and amplification.
Amplification and Cloning: Reverse transcription of the linkered RNA species is carried out followed by PCR amplification and cloning. Two cloning options are available. The preferred option is a SAGE-like method where the small RNA cloning units (miRNA + linkers) are serially ligated (concatemerized) and then cloned. This method is more efficient when using sequencing platforms with long read lengths. The second option is to directly clone the PCR amplicons. In both options, cloning can be done using any available PCR cloning vectors.
Sufficient materials are provided in the kit to generate more than ten small RNA libraries. The two most important aspects of miRNA cloning are the quantity and quality of the starting RNA and the maintenance of relative mass relationships during the Cloning Linker Attachment Phase. Total cellular RNA can be used to clone small RNA species but the absolute mass of small RNAs is very small and larger RNA species will compete for linker molecules. For this reason, it is best to prepare a highly enriched and purified small RNA fraction at the outset.
Once purified small RNA species are obtained, it is crucial to use sufficient linker mass to ensure efficient 3’ and 5’ linker attachment. We strongly encourage using the 3’ and 5’ linkers in the amounts and the concentrations called for in the Cloning Linker Attachment Phase. Reductions in the mass of linker in either of the linker steps will result in a substantial reduction in linkering efficiencies.
References
  1. Bartel, D.P., MicroRNAs: genomics, biogenesis, mechanism, and function. Cell, 2004. 116(2): p. 281-97.
  2. Lee, R.C., R.L. Feinbaum, and V. Ambros, The C. elegans heterochronic gene lin-4 encodes small RNAs with antisense complementarity to lin-14. Cell, 1993. 75(5): p. 843-54.
  3. Gregory, R.I., et al., The Microprocessor complex mediates the genesis of microRNAs. Nature, 2004. 432(7014): p. 235-40.
  4. Denli, A.M., et al., Processing of primary microRNAs by the Microprocessor complex. Nature, 2004. 432(7014): p. 231-5.
  5. Berezikov, E., E. Cuppen, and R.H. Plasterk, Approaches to microRNA discovery. Nat Genet, 2006. 38 Suppl: p. S2-7.
  6. Cummins, J.M., et al., The colorectal microRNAome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2006. 103(10): p. 3687-92.
  7. Elbashir, S.M., W. Lendeckel, and T. Tuschl, RNA interference is mediated by 21- and 22-nucleotide RNAs. Genes Dev, 2001. 15(2): p. 188-200.
  8. Lau, N.C., et al., An abundant class of tiny RNAs with probable regulatory roles in Caenorhabditis elegans. Science, 2001. 294(5543): p. 858-62.
  9. Pfeffer, S., M. Lagos-Quintana, and T. Tuschl, Cloning of small RNA molecules. Current protocols in Molecular Biology, 2003: p. 26.4.1-26.4.18.
  10. Sunkar, R. and J.K. Zhu, Novel and stress-regulated microRNAs and other small RNAs from Arabidopsis. Plant Cell, 2004. 16(8): p. 2001-19.
 
 
 
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