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Published on: June 15, 2018
The functions of microRNA-208 in the heart
Xin Zhao1, Yao Wang2, Xianglan Sun3
1Department of Outpatient Clinic, ShanDong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is a major chronic complication of obesity and diabetes. Due to several patients with obesity and diabetes, it is necessary to urgently explore early diagnostic biomarkers and innovative therapeutic strategies to prevent the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, microRNAs (also known as miRNAs) have emerged as important players in heart disease and energy regulation. MiRNAs are a group of small, highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by suppressing the translation of messenger RNA of target genes or by promoting mRNA degradation. These act as a class of potential biomarkers and may provide key information in diagnosing common diseases such as tumors, tissue damage, and autoimmune diseases. Among all the known miRNAs, microRNA-208 (miR-208) is specifically expressed in myocardial cells and showed close association with the development of cardiac diseases, such as myocardial hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and heart failure. However, the functions and underlying mechanisms of miR-208 in heart are still unclear. In this review, we highlighted the novel insights of miR-208 functions and associated mechanisms in the regulation of cardiac diseases.
Insights
MicroRNAs, including microRNA-208 (miR-208), are key regulators in heart disease and energy balance. This review explores miR-208
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant complication of obesity and diabetes.
- Early diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapeutics are crucial for preventing CVD progression.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators in cardiac function and energy metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functions and mechanisms of microRNA-208 (miR-208) in cardiac diseases.
- To highlight miR-208's role as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on miR-208 research in cardiovascular contexts.
- Analysis of studies investigating miRNA regulation in myocardial cells.
- Synthesis of current understanding regarding miR-208's involvement in cardiac pathologies.
Main Results:
- miR-208 is specifically expressed in myocardial cells.
- miR-208 is closely associated with the development of various cardiac diseases, including hypertrophy, fibrosis, infarction, arrhythmia, and heart failure.
- The precise functions and mechanisms of miR-208 in the heart require further elucidation.
Conclusions:
- miR-208 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardiac diseases.
- Understanding miR-208's mechanisms offers potential for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for heart conditions.
- Further research is warranted to fully unravel the complexities of miR-208 in cardiovascular health and disease.
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