Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function
09:20

An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function

Published on: May 4, 2021

Targeting microRNAs in obesity

Huangming Xie1, Lei Sun, Harvey F Lodish

  • 1Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|August 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of fat cell development and metabolism. Dysregulated miRNAs contribute to obesity and related diseases, offering potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Obesity is a global health crisis linked to severe conditions like type 2 diabetes and cancer.
  • Understanding fat cell development is crucial for creating new obesity treatments.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in metabolic regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of miRNAs in metabolic tissues during normal development and obesity.
  • To explore the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for obesity and metabolic disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent computational and experimental studies.
  • Analysis of miRNA dysregulation in metabolic tissues of obese individuals.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on miRNA function in adipogenesis and lipid metabolism.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs play significant roles in metabolic tissue development, lipid metabolism, and glucose homeostasis.
  • Many miRNAs are found to be dysregulated in obese states, potentially driving associated complications.
  • Evidence suggests miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related diseases.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs are critical regulators in metabolic health and disease.
  • Targeting miRNAs presents a promising avenue for novel obesity therapeutics.
  • Further research into miRNA mechanisms can inform the development of treatments for metabolic syndromes.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...