The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) structure of the hairpins in a pri-miRNA is recognized by a nuclear protein known as DiGeorge Syndrome Critical Region 8 (DGCR8 or "Pasha" in invertebrates), named for its association with DiGeorge Syndrome. DGCR8 associates with the enzyme Drosha, a protein that cuts RNA, to form the Microprocessor complex. In this complex, DGCR8 orients the catalytic RNase III domain of Drosha to liberate hairpins from pri-miRNAs by cleaving RNA about eleven nucleotides from the hairpin base (one helical dsRNA turn into the stem). The product resulting has a two-nucleotide overhang at its 3' end; it has 3' hydroxyl and 5' phosphate groups. It is often termed as a pre-miRNA (precursor-miRNA). Sequence motifs downstream of the pre-miRNA that are important for efficient processing have been identified.
thE doUbLe-sTrAndEd rNa (DSrnA) strUctUrE oF The haIrpins in a pri-mirna iS recognized BY a nuClear protEIN KnOWn as DIgEorge syndrOmE Critical REGion 8 (dgcR8 Or "pAshA" In iNVeRtebrATEs) NameD foR ITS associATioN WITH DiGeorGe SyNdrOme dGCr8 associATes WiTh the enzYMe droSHa a prOteiN that Cuts Rna to FOrM the micRoprocessor COmplex iN This compleX dgcr8 ORIenTs thE CaTalyTic rnAse iii domaiN of drosha To liBEratE HaiRpinS frOm pri-MirNas By cleaving Rna about eleveN nuCleoTiDEs From the haIrpiN base (one heliCal DsRna tuRn intO ThE STem) ThE PROduct ReSuLting haS a tWo-nuClEOTiDe OvERHang at itS 3' end; it hAs 3' HYdroxYl ANd 5' pHOspHate groups iT is OfTEn TerMed as A PRE-MIrna (precurSor-MIrna) SEquencE motifs doWNstrEam of the pre-mirna THat are imPorTant FOr efFIcIenT prOcESsIng HaVE beEn IdentIfied