The neuronal microRNA system

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Zhang, L. et al. microRNAs exhibit high frequency genomic alterations in human cancer. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 103, 9136–9141 (2006).

Clop, A. et al. A mutation creating a potential illegitimate microRNA target site in the myostatin gene affects muscularity in sheep. Nature Genet. 38, 813–818 (2006). This paper is the leading edge of what will emerge as a windfall of genetic data related to polymorphisms at miRNA target sites with functional consequences.

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Conaco, C. et al. Reciprocal actions of REST and a microRNA promote neuronal identity. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 103, 2422–2427 (2006). Opens the way to a network approach to the acquisition and maintenance of cell identity.

Grimm, D. et al. Fatality in mice due to oversaturation of cellular microRNA/short hairpin RNA pathways. Nature 441, 537–541 (2006). An important cautionary note.