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The role of microRNAs in diseases and related signaling pathways

Atena Vaghf1, Behzad Khansarinejad2, Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad3

  • 1Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arāk, Iran.

Molecular Biology Reports
|October 31, 2021
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression epigenetically. This review explores how altered miRNA levels impact cell signaling pathways, contributing to human diseases and offering therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key epigenetic regulators involved in gene expression.
  • They function by binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs), affecting protein production.
  • Dysregulation of miRNAs is linked to the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical role of miRNAs in regulating cell signaling pathways.
  • To elucidate the involvement of miRNAs in disease development through modulation of these pathways.
  • To highlight the potential of miRNAs in therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on miRNAs and cell signaling.
  • Analysis of miRNA involvement in the pathogenesis of various diseases.
  • Synthesis of evidence linking miRNA-mediated pathway alterations to disease states.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs significantly influence multiple cell signaling pathways.
  • Alterations in miRNA expression levels are associated with disease incidence.
  • miRNAs demonstrate potential for targeted therapeutic interventions and diagnostics.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are crucial regulators of cell signaling pathways.
  • Their dysregulation contributes to the development of human diseases.
  • Targeting miRNAs offers promising avenues for disease treatment and diagnosis.
Keywords:
Human diseasesMicroRNAPathogenesis mechanismsSignaling pathwaysmRNA

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