Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs

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...

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Spinal cord stimulation to manage autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury: a systematic review.

Frontiers in human neuroscience·2026

Same author

Lessons in resourcefulness: the SBNS Caribbean Training Fellowship.

British journal of neurosurgery·2026

Same author

Reframing neurotrauma research for LSCO: lessons from Ukraine for the UK Defence Medical Services.

BMJ military health·2026

Same author

Heterologous COVID-19 vaccine schedule with protein-based prime (NVX-CoV2373) and mRNA boost (BNT162b2) induces strong humoral responses: Results from COV-BOOST trial.

The Journal of infection·2025

Same author

Genomic landscape of diffuse glioma revealed by whole genome sequencing.

Nature communications·2025

Same author

Injuries in Fatalities of Dismounted Blast: Identification of Four Mechanisms of Head and Spine Injury.

Journal of neurotrauma·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay

Published on: May 25, 2015

Circulating MicroRNAs and Life Expectancy Among Identical Twins.

Shenghui Wu¹, Taek-Kyun Kim², Xiaogang Wu²

¹Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Laredo, TX, USA.

Annals of Human Genetics

|July 13, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) may indicate life expectancy. Environmental factors significantly influence these miRNA levels, suggesting their role in determining lifespan and all-cause mortality risk.

Keywords:

Next-generation sequencing all-cause mortality life expectancy microRNAs twin

More Related Videos

The Replica Set Method: A High-throughput Approach to Quantitatively Measure Caenorhabditis elegans Lifespan

The Replica Set Method: A High-throughput Approach to Quantitatively Measure Caenorhabditis elegans Lifespan

Published on: June 29, 2018

Probe-based Real-time PCR Approaches for Quantitative Measurement of microRNAs

Probe-based Real-time PCR Approaches for Quantitative Measurement of microRNAs

Published on: April 14, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay

Published on: May 25, 2015

The Replica Set Method: A High-throughput Approach to Quantitatively Measure Caenorhabditis elegans Lifespan

The Replica Set Method: A High-throughput Approach to Quantitatively Measure Caenorhabditis elegans Lifespan

Published on: June 29, 2018

Probe-based Real-time PCR Approaches for Quantitative Measurement of microRNAs

Probe-based Real-time PCR Approaches for Quantitative Measurement of microRNAs

Published on: April 14, 2015

Area of Science:

Genetics and Molecular Biology
Aging Research
Biomarker Discovery

Background:

Human life expectancy is influenced by genetics, environment, and chance.
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs with potential as noninvasive biomarkers.
Environmental factors can affect circulating miRNA concentrations.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between circulating miRNAs and life expectancy.
To assess the utility of miRNAs in archived plasma for life expectancy and mortality risk assessment.
To explore the influence of environmental factors on miRNAs related to lifespan.

Main Methods:

Next-generation sequencing was used to profile plasma miRNAs.
Analysis was performed on nine pairs of identical male twins, including archived samples.
Comparisons were made between deceased twins and their alive co-twin brothers.

Main Results:

MicroRNAs were detectable in 41-year-old archived plasma samples.
Identical twins with differing life expectancies showed significant dissimilarities in most miRNAs.
Concentrations of 34 miRNAs increased and 30 decreased in deceased twins compared to their alive counterparts.

Conclusions:

Circulating miRNAs show potential as biomarkers for life expectancy and all-cause mortality.
Environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping miRNA profiles associated with lifespan.
Archived plasma samples are viable for retrospective miRNA analysis related to longevity.