The majority of human microRNAs (miRNAs) are located within intronic regions and are transcribed by RNA polymerase II. The primary transcripts are cleaved by Drosha to produce pre-miRNAs, which are then processed by Dicer to generate mature miRNAs. Traditionally, it was believed that Drosha cleaves excised introns after splicing. However, the authors found that intronic miRNAs can be processed from unspliced intronic regions before splicing. Surprisingly, this cleavage does not significantly affect the production of mature miRNA, suggesting that a continuous intron may not be necessary for splicing. The study provides evidence that Drosha may cleave intronic miRNAs between the splicing commitment step and the excision step, ensuring both miRNA biogenesis and protein synthesis from a single primary transcript. This novel finding offers insights into eukaryotic gene organization and RNA-processing control.The majority of human microRNAs (miRNAs) are located within intronic regions and are transcribed by RNA polymerase II. The primary transcripts are cleaved by Drosha to produce pre-miRNAs, which are then processed by Dicer to generate mature miRNAs. Traditionally, it was believed that Drosha cleaves excised introns after splicing. However, the authors found that intronic miRNAs can be processed from unspliced intronic regions before splicing. Surprisingly, this cleavage does not significantly affect the production of mature miRNA, suggesting that a continuous intron may not be necessary for splicing. The study provides evidence that Drosha may cleave intronic miRNAs between the splicing commitment step and the excision step, ensuring both miRNA biogenesis and protein synthesis from a single primary transcript. This novel finding offers insights into eukaryotic gene organization and RNA-processing control.