Adenosine-to-Inosine RNA Editing Enzyme ADAR and microRNAs

Abstract

RNA is subjected to over 100 different types of chemical modifications inside the cell. These modifications have various effects on its function and expression, resulting in RNA diversity. RNA editing or conversion of adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) in a double-stranded RNA is a type of RNA modification that can introduce mutations into the precursor of microRNA (miRNA). It can also regulate miRNA processing independently of A-to-I RNA editing. This chapter outlines the role of an A-to-I RNA editing enzyme ADAR in miRNA processing and the experimental systems used to analyze the interaction between miRNAs and ADAR.

Keywords: A-to-I RNA editing; ADAR; Processing; miRNA.