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Updated: May 10, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation
Published on: May 1, 2021
Circulating miRNAs: cell-cell communication function?
A Turchinovich1, T R Samatov, A G Tonevitsky
1Molecular Epidemiology Group, C080, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Germany ; Division of Molecular Biology of Breast Cancer, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Women's Clinic, University Heidelberg Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Nuclease resistant extracellular miRNAs have been found in all known biological fluids. The biological function of extracellular miRNAs remains questionable; however, strong evidence suggests that these miRNAs can be more than just byproducts of cellular activity. Some extracellular miRNA species might carry cell-cell signaling function during various physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art in the field of intercellular miRNA transport and highlight current theories regarding the origin and the biological function of extracellular miRNAs.
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