Small Temporal RNA or stRNA regulate gene expression during roundworm development by preventing the mRNAs they bind to being translated.1 In contrast to siRNA downregulate expression of target RNAs after translation initiation without affecting mRNA stability2.
stRNAs exert negative post-transcriptional regulation by binding to complementary sequences in the 3' untranslated regions of their target genes. stRNAs are transcribed as longer precursor RNAs that are processed by the RNase Dicer/DCR-1 and members of the RDE-1/AGO1 family of proteins, which are better known for their roles in RNA interference (RNAi). stRNAs may function to control temporal identity during development in C. elegans and other organisms.3
^ Banerjee D, Slack F (February 2002). "Control of developmental timing by small temporal RNAs: a paradigm for RNA-mediated regulation of gene expression". Bioessays24 (2): 119–29. doi:10.1002/bies.10046. PMID 11835276.
