Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 2025

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis
10:40

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

2.4K

Role of MicroRNA-502-3p in Human Diseases

Davin Devara1, Yashmit Choudhary2, Subodh Kumar1,3

  • 1Center of Emphasis in Neuroscience, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-502-3p (miR-502-3p) is overexpressed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) synapses, impacting synapse function and disease severity. This microRNA shows potential as a therapeutic target for AD treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression implicated in various diseases.
  • MicroRNA-502-3p (miR-502-3p) has been linked to osteoporosis, diabetes, tuberculosis, cancers, and neurological disorders.
  • Synapse dysfunction, driven by amyloid beta, tau, and microglia, is an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of miR-502-3p in regulating synapse function in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • To discuss the established roles of miR-502-3p in human diseases and AD.
  • To examine the therapeutic potential of miR-502-3p for AD treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Localization and expression analysis of miR-502-3p in AD synapses.
  • Correlation analysis between miR-502-3p overexpression and AD severity (Braak stages).
  • Investigation of miR-502-3p's modulation of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapse function in AD.

Main Results:

  • MiR-502-3p was found to be localized and overexpressed within AD synapses.
  • Higher levels of miR-502-3p correlated with increased AD severity.
  • MiR-502-3p was shown to modulate both glutamatergic and GABAergic synapse functions in the context of AD.

Conclusions:

  • MiR-502-3p plays a significant role in synapse dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease.
  • The expression levels of miR-502-3p are linked to the progression and severity of AD.
  • MiR-502-3p represents a promising therapeutic target for future Alzheimer's disease treatments.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseGABAergic neuronMiR-502-3pmicroRNAssynapse

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

17.7K
In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge09:53

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge

Published on: June 15, 2018

7.5K

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 the pre-miRNA...
3.1K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
6.2K
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
8.7K
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
26.2K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.6K
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
16.9K