The miR-124 microRNA precursor is a small non-coding RNA molecule that has been identified in flies (MI0000373), nematode worms (MI0000302), mouse (MI0000150) and human (MI0000443). The mature ~21 nucleotide microRNAs are processed from hairpin precursor sequences by the Dicer enzyme, and in this case originates from the 3' arm. miR-124 has been found to be the most abundant microRNA expressed in neuronal cells. Experiments to alter expression of miR-124 in neural cells did not appear to affect differentiation. However these results are controversial since other reports have described a role for miR-124 during neuronal differentiation.
Clinical medicine.
Presence of the G allele, compared to the C allele, in SNP rs531564 in pri-miR-124-1, measured by PCR-RFLP in leukocyte DNA, is linked to a reduced risk of gastric cancer (e.g. GG v CC OR 0.34 95% CI 0.19-0.59, p ;0.001).
References.
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