LIN28A Proteins

Acts as a 'translational enhancer', driving specific mRNAs to polysomes and thus increasing the efficiency of protein synthesis. Its association with the translational machinery and target mRNAs results in an increased number of initiation events per molecule of mRNA and, indirectly, in stabilizing the mRNAs. Acts as a suppressor of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis by specifically binding the precursor let-7 (pre-let-7), a miRNA precursor. Acts by binding pre-let-7 and recruiting an uridylyltransferase, leading to the terminal uridylation of pre- let-7. Uridylated pre-let-7 miRNAs fail to be processed by Dicer and undergo degradation. Specifically recognizes the 5'-GGAG-3' motif in the terminal loop of pre-let-7. Also recognizes and binds non pre-let-7 pre-miRNAs that contain the 5'-GGAG-3' motif in the terminal loop, leading to their terminal uridylation and subsequent degradation (By similarity).