# Molecular control of microRNA gene-regulatory activity.

> **NIH NIH R35** · KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $447,346

## Abstract

Project summary
Organism development and cellular homeostasis depend on tightly regulated gene expression programs.
Disruptions in gene regulation lead to developmental defects and contribute to human diseases including
cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs, play a critical role in
post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by repressing target genes. Dysregulation of miRNA activity
can lead to disproportionate gene silencing or overexpression, with damaging consequences to organism
development and health. Despite the significant role of miRNA function in development and disease, our
understanding of how miRNA activity is regulated to maintain appropriate levels of gene repression remains
incomplete. The overarching goal of this research is to understand how the gene-regulatory activity of miRNAs
is controlled within the complex context of a developing organism. More specifically, we will investigate how
miRNA target specificity is established through regulated, miRNA strand specific loading of the miRNA induced
silencing complex (miRISC) and how key miRISC components and cofactors impact gene-regulatory miRNA
activity. We will continue to leverage the power of C. elegans and will, through a range of methodologies,
delineate the in vivo genetic and molecular networks regulating miRNA activity at steps of miRNA biogenesis
and target repression. This research is expected to lay a foundation for understanding how gene regulatory
programs are maintained during organism development through robust regulation of miRNA activity and how
dysregulation of miRNA function leads to loss of gene expression control in disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10842687
- **Project number:** 2R35GM124828-06
- **Recipient organization:** KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Anna Zinovyeva
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $447,346
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-10-01 → 2029-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10842687

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10842687, Molecular control of microRNA gene-regulatory activity. (2R35GM124828-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10842687. Licensed CC0.

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