pre-miRNA

Pre-miRNA, or precursor microRNA, is a short, hairpin-shaped molecule that forms in cells from longer RNA transcripts. It acts as an intermediate step in the production of mature microRNAs, which are small RNA molecules that help regulate gene expression. Once formed, pre-miRNA is processed by specific enzymes that cut it into a mature microRNA, which can then influence how genes are turned on or off. Essentially, pre-miRNA is a crucial intermediate that allows the cell to produce microRNAs involved in controlling various biological functions.