Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Isolation and Profiling of MicroRNA-containing Exosomes from Human Bile
06:59

Isolation and Profiling of MicroRNA-containing Exosomes from Human Bile

Published on: June 13, 2016

10.9K

Stabilization of Urinary MicroRNAs by Association with Exosomes and Argonaute 2 Protein

Cristina Beltrami1, Aled Clayton2, Lucy J Newbury3

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Wales Kidney Research Unit, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK. c.beltrami@bristol.ac.uk.

Non-Coding RNA
|June 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Urinary microRNAs (miRNAs) show stability through association with extracellular vesicles and Argonaute protein 2 (AGO2). This finding supports the potential for using urinary miRNAs as novel, non-invasive biomarkers for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Urology

Background:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) lacks sufficient non-invasive biomarkers.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers found in body fluids, but their urinary stability mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the stabilization mechanisms of urinary miR-16 and miR-192.
  • To determine the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and Argonaute protein 2 (AGO2) in urinary miRNA stability.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed RNase resistance of endogenous and exogenous miRNAs.
  • Utilized sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation for EV sub-fractionation.
  • Performed proteinase K digestion and RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP) to identify miRNA-protein complexes.

Main Results:

  • Endogenous urinary miR-16 exhibited greater RNase resistance than exogenous cel-miR-39.
  • miR-16 and miR-192 were enriched in exosomal fractions but also found in other urinary pellet components.
  • Proteinase K digestion destabilized urinary miR-16, and RIP confirmed miR-16:AGO2 and miR-192:AGO2 complexes.

Conclusions:

  • Association with EVs and AGO2 stabilizes urinary miR-16 and miR-192.
  • Urinary miRNA stability is influenced by multiple interactions.
  • Quantitative urinary miRNA analysis holds potential for identifying novel, non-invasive CKD biomarkers.
Keywords:
AGO2biomarkerchronic kidney diseaseexosomemicroRNAsurine

More Related Videos

A Modified Precipitation Method to Isolate Urinary Exosomes05:05

A Modified Precipitation Method to Isolate Urinary Exosomes

Published on: January 16, 2015

18.1K
Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media10:45

Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media

Published on: June 14, 2013

32.4K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

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...
24.3K
MicroRNAs01:22

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...
4.0K
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
6.7K
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
35.8K
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together...
23.3K
Associative Learning01:27

Associative Learning

Associative learning is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, wherein a connection is established between two stimuli or events, leading to a learned response. This process is critical in understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified. Conditioning, the mechanism through which associations are formed, can be divided into two main types: classical conditioning and operant conditioning, each elucidating different aspects of associative learning.
Classical conditioning, also known...
1.4K