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MiRNA Biogenesis and Regulation of Diseases: An Overview

Anchal Vishnoi1, Sweta Rani2

  • 1SEQOME Ltd, Waterford, Ireland.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|November 10, 2016
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules regulating gene expression. Their dysregulation is linked to diseases, showing potential as diagnostic biomarkers and drug response predictors.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules crucial for gene silencing.
  • They function by binding to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), inhibiting translation.
  • First discovered in 1993, miRNAs are conserved across eukaryotic species and found in all cell types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the biogenesis of microRNAs.
  • To explore the potential roles of miRNAs in various human diseases.
  • To highlight the diagnostic and prognostic potential of miRNAs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on miRNA biogenesis.
  • Analysis of studies investigating miRNA roles in disease.
  • Synthesis of information on miRNA applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.

Main Results:

  • miRNA biogenesis is a complex, multi-step process.
  • Dysregulated miRNA expression is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
  • miRNAs show promise as biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and predicting drug response.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs are fundamental regulators of gene expression with significant implications in health and disease.
  • Understanding miRNA biogenesis and function is key to unlocking their therapeutic potential.
  • miRNAs represent a promising frontier for developing novel diagnostic tools and personalized medicine strategies.
Keywords:
CancerCardiovascular diseaseNeurodegenerative diseasesRetinal disordermiRNA

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