Mirtron:a new pathway of miRNA biogenesis

The canonical microRNA (miRNA) pathway converts primary miRNAs into functional miRNAs via consecutive cleavages by two RNase III enzymes, Drosha and Dicer. Recently, a new pathway of miRNA biogenesis that appears to bypass Drosha cleavage, mirtron, has been discovered in invertebrates and mammals. The discovery will provide significant data and new research ideas for explaining miRNA biogenesis.