MicroRNAs as commonly expressed biomarkers for sarcopenia and frailty: A systematic review

Hyung Eun Shin1, Jae Young Jang2, Heeeun Jung3

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Emory Musculoskeletal Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.

Experimental Gerontology
|September 30, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Shared microRNAs (miRNAs) show consistent expression patterns in both sarcopenia and frailty. These findings suggest miRNAs as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and progression monitoring of these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Gerontology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Coexistent sarcopenia and frailty present a greater health risk than either condition alone.
  • Understanding the mechanisms underlying combined sarcopenia and frailty is crucial.
  • Noncoding RNAs are emerging as potential biomarkers for sarcopenia and frailty.

Conclusions:

  • Shared microRNAs (miRNAs) with consistent expression patterns hold promise as biomarkers.
  • These miRNAs can aid in the early diagnosis of sarcopenia and frailty.
  • Consistent miRNA expression can also assist in assessing disease progression.

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 ends...
Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay02:27

Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay

The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
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 ends...
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...