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Do we eat gene regulators?

Guenther Witzany1

  • 1Telos-Philosophische Praxis; Buermoos, Austria.

Communicative & Integrative Biology
|August 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) from food enter human circulation and can regulate gene expression. These dietary miRNAs may influence mammalian gene regulation and disease development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are detected in human sera and tissues.
  • Dietary intake is a route for plant miRNA acquisition in mammals.
  • Plant miRNAs can traverse the gastrointestinal tract and reach systemic circulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biological activity of plant microRNAs in mammalian systems.
  • To explore the potential of plant miRNAs to regulate gene expression in mammals.
  • To understand the implications of dietary plant miRNAs in mammalian health and disease.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro cell culture experiments.
  • In vivo animal model studies.
  • Gene expression analysis to identify target regulation.

Main Results:

  • Plant miRNAs are bioavailable in mammalian sera and tissues after oral consumption.
  • Demonstrated that plant miRNAs can modulate the expression of specific mammalian genes.
  • Observed functional similarities between plant and mammalian miRNAs in cellular contexts.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary plant microRNAs can exert biological functions in mammals.
  • Plant miRNAs may play a role in regulating gene expression and influencing diseases like cancer and arteriosclerosis.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the full impact of plant miRNAs on mammalian biology.
Keywords:
animal microRNAsfood intakegene regulationnon-coding RNAsplant microRNAs

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