Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-Gene Regulatory Mechanisms

BBA Gene Regulatory Mechanisms includes reports that describe novel insights into mechanisms of transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational gene regulation. Special emphasis is placed on papers that identify epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation, including chromatin, modification, and remodeling. This section also encompasses mechanistic studies of regulatory proteins and protein complexes; regulatory or mechanistic aspects of RNA processing; regulation of expression by small RNAs; genomic analysis of gene expression patterns; and modeling of gene regulatory pathways. Papers describing gene promoters, enhancers, silencers or other regulatory DNA regions must incorporate significant functions studies. The journal does not favorably review manuscripts identifying a miRNA-target pair without additional insights into the repression mechanism or significant advances in understanding regulatory pathways. In addition, the following elements should be an integral part of the study: •In silico prediction of miRNA targets must be experimentally verified using appropriate luciferase constructs and assays; •To exclude non-functional miRNA/mRNA interactions a reporter system including the whole 3'UTR of the target gene downstream the "luciferase" or GFP should be considered; •Any miRNA modulation should be validated by measuring the expression of the putative protein