Target Protectors Reveal Dampening and Balancing of Nodal Agonist and Antagonist by miR-430

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1147535
• Publication Date: 2007-08-31T01:15:10Z
• Authors: Wen-Yee Choi; Antonio J. Giraldez; Alexander F. Schier
• Keywords: Morpholino

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) repress hundreds of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), but the physiological roles specific miRNA-mRNA interactions remain largely elusive. We report that zebrafish microRNA-430 (miR-430) dampens and balances expression transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) Nodal agonist squint TGF-beta antagonist lefty. To disrupt interaction pairs, we developed protector morpholinos complementary to miRNA binding sites in mRNAs. Protection or lefty mRNAs from miR-430 resulted enhanced reduced signaling, respectively. Simultaneous protection absence caused an imbalance reduction signaling. These findings establish approach analyze vivo pairs reveal a requirement for miRNAs dampening balancing agonist/antagonist pairs.