MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules, typically 20-24 nucleotides in length, that play crucial roles in the regulation of gene expression. They function by binding to the 3' untranslated regions (3' UTR) of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), leading to mRNA degradation or repression of translation. This process is critical in various biological processes, including development, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis.
