Mammalian 5′-Capped MicroRNA Precursors that Generate a Single MicroRNA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA gene regulators typically produced from primary transcripts that are cleaved by the nuclear microprocessor complex, with the resulting precursor miRNA hairpins exported by exportin 5 and processed by cytoplasmic Dicer to yield two (5p and 3p) miRNAs. Here, we document microprocessor-independent 7-methylguanosine (m7G)-capped pre-miRNAs, whose 5′ ends coincide with transcription start sites and 3′ ends are most likely generated by transcription termination. By establishing a small RNA Cap-seq method that employs the cap-binding protein eIF4E, we identified a group of murine m7G-capped pre-miRNAs genome wide. The m7G-capped pre-miRNAs are exported via the PHAX-exportin 1 pathway. After Dicer cleavage, only the 3p-miRNA is efficiently loaded onto Argonaute to form a functional microRNP. This unusual miRNA biogenesis pathway, which differs in pre-miRNA synthesis, nuclear-cytoplasmic transport, and guide strand selection, enables the development of shRNA expression constructs that produce a single 3p-siRNA.