Diagram of microRNA Tea Towel

A microRNA (abbr. miRNA) is a small non-coding RNA molecule (ca. 22 nucleotides) found in plants and animals, which functions in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Encoded by eukaryotic nuclear DNA, miRNAs function via base-pairing with complementary sequences within mRNA molecules, usually resulting in gene silencing via translational repression or target degradation. The human genome may encode over 1000 miRNAs, which may target about 60% of mammalian genes[6][7] and are abundant in many human cell types.