How can I search through literature databases for words containing a * when the asterisk is read as syntax and not part of a query?

I’m exploring the literature on microRNA, where it is common for the less utilised strand of the miRNA duplex to be referred to as the miRNA* strand.

However, I am experiencing some issue searching for literature sources, as the databases I use for my searches (Web of Science, Google Scholar) utilise an asterisk as part of the search syntax rather than part of the query itself. This leads to any search for "miRNA*" yielding every paper on miRNA in general.

I am getting by for now using alternate search terms and other papers references, however it would be excellent if someone knows how to tell these databases that the asterisk is part of the query and not syntax.