AI forgets what is known (7)

(click to enlarge)

Museum für Naturkunde Explores Maria Sibylla Merian’s Legacy and Editions of Her Metamorphosis

Merian…did not lose her interest in the metamorphosis of species…and published her first book about caterpillars in 1679 under the name … (engl. “The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Remarkable Diet of Flowers”)

Darwin subsequently linked Merian’s food energy-dependent “conditions of life” from caterpillars to all pheromone-regulated biodiversity in The Origin of Species (1859), with no knowledge of Mendelian genetics, and no knowledge of the biophysically constrained chemistry of protein folding reported on 12/2/24, and in the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology or Medicine “for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.”

See: miR-276 and miR-182013-5p modulate insect metamorphosis and reproduction via dually regulating juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase 12/2/24 and The Yin and Yang of hsa-miR-1244 expression levels during activation of the UPR control cell fate 12/2/24

See also: microRNA functions 12/3/24

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules, typically about 22 nucleotides long, that play crucial roles in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Here’s an overview of their functions:

Gene Silencing: miRNAs primarily function by binding to the 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of target mRNAs. This binding can lead to mRNA degradation or inhibition of translation, effectively silencing the gene. Regulation of Development: They are pivotal in the regulation of developmental timing, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. For example, during development, miRNAs ensure that certain genes are turned off at the right time for proper organ formation. Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors: In cancer biology, miRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Altered miRNA expression is linked with various cancers where they might promote or inhibit tumor growth by affecting multiple pathways. Immune Response: miRNAs play roles in the regulation of immune responses by controlling the differentiation and function of immune cells like T cells, B cells, and macrophages. Metabolic Regulation: They also regulate metabolic processes such as cholesterol and lipid metabolism, insulin secretion, and glucose homeostasis. Stress Responses: miRNAs are involved in responses to various forms of stress including oxidative stress, hypoxia, and DNA damage, helping cells adapt or undergo programmed cell death if damage is irreparable. Neurological Functions: In the nervous system, miRNAs influence synaptic plasticity, neural development, and are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Viral Defense: Some miRNAs can target viral mRNAs, providing an antiviral defense mechanism, while viruses can also encode their own miRNAs to manipulate host cell processes. Epigenetic Regulation: miRNAs can interact with epigenetic machinery, influencing DNA methylation and histone modifications, thus adding another layer to gene expression control.

Their ability to target multiple genes simultaneously makes miRNAs powerful regulators of complex biological networks. Understanding miRNA functions continues to be a vibrant area of research with potential therapeutic implications in treating diseases where gene regulation is disturbed.

Subscribe

Login

Notify of

new follow-up comments new replies to my comments

Label

{} [+]

Name*

Email*

Website

Label

{} [+]

Name*

Email*

Website

0 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Want more on the same topic?

Swipe/Drag Left and Right To Browse Related Posts: