Using miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for male infertility: opportunities and challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Vashisht ◽  
G K Gahlay
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
Mirna Biogenesis ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Clinical Disorder ◽  
Epididymal Maturation ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

Abstract The non-coding genome has been extensively studied for its role in human development and diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, which can regulate the expression of hundreds of genes at the post-transcriptional level. Therefore, any defects in miRNA biogenesis or processing can affect the genes and have been linked to several diseases. Male infertility is a clinical disorder with a significant number of cases being idiopathic. Problems in spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation, testicular development, sperm maturation or migration contribute to male infertility, and many of these idiopathic cases are related to issues with the miRNAs which tightly regulate these processes. This review summarizes the recent research on various such miRNAs and puts together the candidate miRNAs that may be used as biomarkers for diagnosis. The development of strategies for male infertility treatment using anti-miRs or miRNA mimics is also discussed. Although promising, the development of miRNA diagnostics and therapeutics is challenging, and ways to overcome some of these challenges are also reviewed.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs and endocrine biology

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trinna L Cuellar ◽  
Michael T McManus
Keyword(s):  
Adipocyte Differentiation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
B Cell Development ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Mirna Biogenesis ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Regulate Gene Expression ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Regulate Gene

microRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, non-coding RNAs that powerfully regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. These fascinating molecules play essential roles in many biological processes in mammals, including insulin secretion, B-cell development, and adipocyte differentiation. This review provides a general background regarding current knowledge about miRNA biogenesis and the potential contributions of these RNAs to endocrine function.

Oestrogen-dependent regulation of miRNA biogenesis: many ways to skin the cat

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 752-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ananya Gupta ◽  
Emer Caffrey ◽  
Grace Callagy ◽  
Sanjeev Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Steroid Hormone ◽  
Mirna Biogenesis ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Normal Female ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Oestrogen Signalling ◽  
Er Status

The steroid hormone oestrogen is central to normal female physiology, reproduction and behaviour, through its effects on cellular processes including cell proliferation and cell survival. The effects of oestrogen are mediated by nuclear ERs (oestrogen receptors). ER status is important for the development, progression and treatment of breast cancer. miRNAs (microRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that bind the 3′-UTR (untranslated region) of target mRNAs to reduce their stability and/or translation. miRNAs participate in oestrogen signalling by regulating oestrogen-responsive genes and pathways. Interestingly expression and maturation of miRNAs can also be regulated by ER signalling at multiple levels. In addition to regulating the expression of miRNAs at the transcriptional level, ER appears to be able to regulate the biogenesis of miRNAs. In the present review, we summarize recent findings on miRNA biogenesis and describe various mechanisms by which oestrogen signalling can modulate the production of miRNAs.

scholarly journals Deciphering miRNAs’ Action through miRNA Editing

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Correia de Sousa ◽  
Monika Gjorgjieva ◽  
Dobrochna Dolicka ◽  
Cyril Sobolewski ◽  
Michelangelo Foti
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Mirna Biogenesis ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Mirna Editing

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with the capability of modulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level either by inhibiting messenger RNA (mRNA) translation or by promoting mRNA degradation. The outcome of a myriad of physiological processes and pathologies, including cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, relies highly on miRNAs. However, deciphering the precise roles of specific miRNAs in these pathophysiological contexts is challenging due to the high levels of complexity of their actions. Indeed, regulation of mRNA expression by miRNAs is frequently cell/organ specific; highly dependent on the stress and metabolic status of the organism; and often poorly correlated with miRNA expression levels. Such biological features of miRNAs suggest that various regulatory mechanisms control not only their expression, but also their activity and/or bioavailability. Several mechanisms have been described to modulate miRNA action, including genetic polymorphisms, methylation of miRNA promoters, asymmetric miRNA strand selection, interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) or other coding/non-coding RNAs. Moreover, nucleotide modifications (A-to-I or C-to-U) within the miRNA sequences at different stages of their maturation are also critical for their functionality. This regulatory mechanism called “RNA editing” involves specific enzymes of the adenosine/cytidine deaminase family, which trigger single nucleotide changes in primary miRNAs. These nucleotide modifications greatly influence a miRNA’s stability, maturation and activity by changing its specificity towards target mRNAs. Understanding how editing events impact miRNA’s ability to regulate stress responses in cells and organs, or the development of specific pathologies, e.g., metabolic diseases or cancer, should not only deepen our knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying complex diseases, but can also facilitate the design of new therapeutic approaches based on miRNA targeting. Herein, we will discuss the current knowledge on miRNA editing and how this mechanism regulates miRNA biogenesis and activity.

scholarly journals Identification and analysis of circulating long non-coding RNAs with high significance in diabetic cardiomyopathy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarun Pant ◽  
Anuradha Dhanasekaran ◽  
Ming Zhao ◽  
Edward B. Thorp ◽  
Joseph M. Forbess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarker ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Α Chain ◽  
Factor Α

AbstractDiabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) lacks diagnostic biomarkers. Circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can serve as valuable diagnostic biomarkers in cardiovascular disease. To seek potential lncRNAs as a diagnostic biomarker for DCM, we investigated the genome-wide expression profiling of circulating lncRNAs and mRNAs in type 2 diabetic db/db mice with and without DCM and performed bioinformatic analyses of the deregulated lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network. Db/db mice had obesity and hyperglycemia with normal cardiac function at 6 weeks of age (diabetes without DCM) but with an impaired cardiac function at 20 weeks of age (DCM) on an isolated Langendorff apparatus. Compared with the age-matched controls, 152 circulating lncRNAs, 127 mRNAs and 3355 lncRNAs, 2580 mRNAs were deregulated in db/db mice without and with DCM, respectively. The lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network analysis showed that five deregulated lncRNAs, XLOC015617, AK035192, Gm10435, TCR-α chain, and MouselincRNA0135, have the maximum connections with differentially expressed mRNAs. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that these five lncRNAs were highly associated with the development and motion of myofilaments, regulation of inflammatory and immune responses, and apoptosis. This finding was validated by the ultrastructural examination of myocardial samples from the db/db mice with DCM using electron microscopy and changes in the expression of myocardial tumor necrosis factor-α and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in db/db mice with DCM. These results indicate that XLOC015617, AK035192, Gm10435, TCR-α chain, and MouselincRNA0135 are crucial circulating lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of DCM. These five circulating lncRNAs may have high potential as a diagnostic biomarker for DCM.

scholarly journals Long non-coding RNAs in brain tumors

NAR Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisuke Katsushima ◽  
George Jallo ◽  
Charles G Eberhart ◽  
Ranjan J Perera
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Brain Cancer ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Cancer Pathogenesis ◽  
Current State ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Post Transcriptional Regulation

Abstract Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to be central players in the epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. There is an accumulation of evidence on newly discovered lncRNAs, their molecular interactions and their roles in the development and progression of human brain tumors. LncRNAs can have either tumor suppressive or oncogenic functions in different brain cancers, making them attractive therapeutic targets and biomarkers for personalized therapy and precision diagnostics. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge of the lncRNAs that have been implicated in brain cancer pathogenesis, particularly in gliomas and medulloblastomas. We discuss their epigenetic regulation as well as the prospects of using lncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in patients with brain tumors.

scholarly journals MiR-29a: a potential therapeutic target and promising biomarker in tumors

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-yan Wang ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Dan-dan Wang ◽  
Wei Yan ◽  
Huan-huan Sha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Additional Insight ◽  
Potential Therapeutic Target ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Novel Therapeutic

MiRNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules, were recognized to be associated with the incidence and development of diverse neoplasms. MiRNAs were small non-coding RNAs that could regulate post-transcriptional level by binding to 3′-UTR of target mRNAs. Amongst which, miR-29a was demonstrated that it had significant impact on oncogenicity in various neoplasms through binding to critical genes which enhanced or inhibited the progression of cancers. MiR-29a participated in kinds of physiological and pathological processes, including virus replication, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, fibrosis, angiogenesis, tumorigenicity, metastasis, drug-resistance, and so on. According to its sufficient sensitivity and specificity, many studies showed that miR-29a might serve as a potential therapeutic target and promising biomarker in various tumors. In this review, we discussed the functions of miR-29a and its potential application in the diagnosis, treatment and stages of carcinoma, which could provide additional insight to develop a novel therapeutic strategy.

MicroRNA expression in infertile men: its alterations and effects

Zygote ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (05) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Kiani ◽  
Mohammad Salehi ◽  
Asghar Mogheiseh
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Testicular Biopsy ◽  
Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Mirna Regulation ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Different Types

SummaryInfertility is an important reproductive health problem, and male infertility is especially important in more than half of infertility cases. Due to the importance of genetic factors in this condition, analysis of semen alone is not enough to recognize men with idiopathic infertility. A molecular non-invasive investigation is necessary to gain valuable information. Currently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are being used as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. miRNAs, single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules, act as post-transcriptional gene silencing regulators either by inhibition or repression of translation. Changes in the regulation of miRNAs have been investigated in several different types of male infertility, therefore the biological role of miRNA and gene targets has been defined. The purpose of this study was to review recent research on the altered expression of miRNA in semen, sperm, and testicular biopsy samples in infertile males with different types of unexplained infertility. Changes in miRNA regulation were investigated using microarray and the miRNA levels were confirmed by real-time qRT-PCR. This review explains why creating a non-invasive diagnostic method for male infertility is necessary and how changes in miRNA expression can be used as new diagnostic biomarkers in patients with differing spermatogenic and histopathologic injury.

scholarly journals Large bowel infarct following antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy for varicocele: A case report

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizio Vicini ◽  
Giovanni Battista Di Pierro ◽  
Pietro Grande ◽  
Giuseppe Voria ◽  
Gabriele Antonini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Surgical Approach ◽  
Large Bowel ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
Colonic Resection ◽  
Venous Anastomosis ◽  
Mesenteric Veins ◽  
Minimal Invasiveness

Varicocele is the main cause of male infertility. Treatment stops continuous damage to spermatogenesis, thereby potentially improving fertility. Among all the available procedures, the antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy (ASS), a combined radiological-surgical approach first introduced by Tauber, is gaining more popularity due to its minimal invasiveness. We report the case of a 35-year-old man who was subjected to a colonic resection after antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy for varicocele. The procedure was necessary due to the embolization of venous anastomosis between the spermatic and mesenteric veins, which were not detectable at the preoperative phlebography.

scholarly journals Epigenomics of Plant’s Responses to Environmental Stress

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suresh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Environmental Stresses ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Function Activity

Genome-wide epigenetic changes in plants are being reported during the development and environmental stresses, which are often correlated with gene expression at the transcriptional level. Sum total of the biochemical changes in nuclear DNA, post-translational modifications in histone proteins and variations in the biogenesis of non-coding RNAs in a cell is known as epigenome. These changes are often responsible for variation in expression of the gene without any change in the underlying nucleotide sequence. The changes might also cause variation in chromatin structure resulting into the changes in function/activity of the genome. The epigenomic changes are dynamic with respect to the endogenous and/or environmental stimuli which affect phenotypic plasticity of the organism. Both, the epigenetic changes and variation in gene expression might return to the pre-stress state soon after withdrawal of the stress. However, a part of the epigenetic changes may be retained which is reported to play role in acclimatization, adaptation as well as in the evolutionary processes. Understanding epigenome-engineering for improved stress tolerance in plants has become essential for better utilization of the genetic factors. This review delineates the importance of epigenomics towards possible improvement of plant’s responses to environmental stresses for climate resilient agriculture.

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