Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
07:25
Lipid Supplementation for Longevity and Gene Transcriptional Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: December 9, 2022
Roles of microRNA in aging and dietary restriction-induced longevity
Jialin Fan1, Guimei Zhang2, Shuo Sun3
1School of Arts and Sciences, Chemistry and Chemical Biology Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), Director's Office Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States.
Frontiers in Genetics
|August 11, 2026
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key epigenetic regulators influencing aging and lifespan across organisms. They are involved in dietary restriction
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and molecular biology
- Gerontology and aging research
Background:
- Aging is a complex process involving cellular and tissue homeostasis decline.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are epigenetic regulators crucial for aging and lifespan.
- miRNAs target conserved pathways like insulin/IGF-1, mTOR, and autophagy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of miRNAs in lifespan regulation across model organisms.
- To discuss miRNA involvement in dietary restriction (DR)-mediated longevity.
- To highlight miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for aging.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on miRNAs and aging.
- Analysis of miRNA expression patterns in aging model organisms.
- Examination of miRNA roles in DR and age-related disease biomarkers.
Main Results:
- miRNAs exhibit age-dependent expression and modulate longevity pathways.
- Dietary restriction alters miRNA expression, impacting metabolic adaptation and stress resistance.
- Circulating miRNAs show potential as minimally invasive biomarkers for aging and diseases.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs are central regulators of aging and longevity interventions.
- miRNAs hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
- Future research should focus on multi-miRNA networks and miRNA-based aging clocks.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
01:37Mitochondria
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast, mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...