[Basic research and application of microRNA--a novel target for regulating cardiac arrhythmias]

Translational medicine is a novel concept about combination of basic research and clinical application. The aim of translational medicine is to realize the translation of basic research into clinical practice. microRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding single-stranded RNAs with 21-25 nucleotides in length as newly discovered factors in regulating gene expression. Recently, the key regulatory role of miRNA in the cardiovascular system has been elucidated and amount of remarkable results has been achieved, particularly in the regulation of cardiac arrhythmias. A series of studies demonstrate that miRNAs are involved in the regulation of expression of a variety of proteins associated with cardiac electrical activity, and are the potential targets of occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias and anti-arrhythmic drugs. miRNAs as a therapeutic target regulate the stability of mRNAs of target genes or play an inhibitory role in the translation process. Stability of the corresponding miRNA expression levels in the target organ may be a new approach for the disease therapy. Regarding the dysfunction of miRNA, we employed miRNA re-expression strategy and anti-miRNA strategy to correct target protein function and provide a new entry for the therapy of arrhythmia. With the technology of miRNA mimics and antagomirs, miRNAs are expected to treat various cardiovascular diseases and will provide a fresh impetus to achieve transform medicine.