Mechanisms of microRNA turnover

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 20-24 nucleotide (nt) RNAs that regulate gene expression by guiding Argonaute (AGO) proteins to specific target RNAs to cause their degradation or translational repression. The abundance of miRNAs is strictly controlled at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional levels. miRNA turnover is presumably a necessary means to regulate miRNA levels in response to physiological, developmental, and environmental changes. miRNA 3′ end methylation, 3′ end nucleotide addition, AGO and complementary target transcripts are known or probable processes/factors that affect miRNA stability and turnover. Here we discuss the mechanisms that control miRNA turnover in plants and, where applicable, make references to similarities and differences in these mechanisms between plants and animals.