scholarly journals Small Molecule, Big Prospects: MicroRNA in Pregnancy and Its Complications

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Cai ◽  
Gopi K. Kolluru ◽  
Asif Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Preterm Labor ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Posttranscriptional Level ◽  
In Pregnancy

MicroRNAs are small, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate target gene expression in the posttranscriptional level. Unlike siRNA, microRNAs are “fine-tuners” rather than “switches” in the regulation of gene expression; thus they play key roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The aberrant microRNA expression is implicated in the disease process. To date, numerous studies have demonstrated the regulatory roles of microRNAs in various pathophysiological conditions. In contrast, the study of microRNA in pregnancy and its associated complications, such as preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and preterm labor, is a young field. Over the last decade, the knowledge of pregnancy-related microRNAs has increased and the molecular mechanisms by which microRNAs regulate pregnancy or its associated complications are emerging. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the research of pregnancy-related microRNAs, especially their function in pregnancy-associated complications and the potential clinical applications. Here microRNAs that associate with pregnancy are classified as placenta-specific, placenta-associated, placenta-derived circulating, and uterine microRNA according to their localization and origin. MicroRNAs offer a great potential for developing diagnostic and therapeutic targets in pregnancy-related disorders.

scholarly journals Role of microRNAs in Obesity-Related Kidney Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11416
Author(s):  
Maite Caus ◽  
Àuria Eritja ◽  
Milica Bozic
Keyword(s):  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Renal Diseases ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Post Transcriptional Regulation

Obesity is a major global health problem and is associated with a significant risk of renal function decline. Obesity-related nephropathy, as one of the complications of obesity, is characterized by a structural and functional damage of the kidney and represents one of the important contributors to the morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite increasing data linking hyperlipidemia and lipotoxicity to kidney injury, the apprehension of molecular mechanisms leading to a development of kidney damage is scarce. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously produced small noncoding RNA molecules with an important function in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRNAs have been demonstrated to be important regulators of a vast array of physiological and pathological processes in many organs, kidney being one of them. In this review, we present an overview of miRNAs, focusing on their functional role in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated renal pathologies. We explain novel findings regarding miRNA-mediated signaling in obesity-related nephropathies and highlight advantages and future perspectives of the therapeutic application of miRNAs in renal diseases.

Diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value of miR-148b in human cancers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsane Bahrami ◽  
Gordon A. Ferns
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Human Cancers ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
Cancer Types

: MicroRNAs (miRs) is a class of conserved, small, noncoding RNA molecules which modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. miR-148b is a member of miR-148/152 family generally known to be a tumor suppressor via its affect on different signaling pathways and regulatory genes. Aberrant expression of miR-148b has recently been shown to be responsible for tumorigenesis for several different cancer types. This review discusses the current evidences regarding the involvement of miR-148b expression in human cancers and its potential clinical importance for tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms, Diagnostic Aspects and Therapeutic Opportunities of Micro Ribonucleic Acids in Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Böhm ◽  
Marianna Vachalcova ◽  
Peter Snopek ◽  
Ljuba Bacharova ◽  
Dominika Komarova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Ribonucleic Acids ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Diagnostic Aspects ◽  
Non Coding Rna

Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules responsible for regulation of gene expression. They are involved in many pathophysiological processes of a wide spectrum of diseases. Recent studies showed their involvement in atrial fibrillation. They seem to become potential screening biomarkers for atrial fibrillation and even treatment targets for this arrhythmia. The aim of this review article was to summarize the latest knowledge about miRNA and their molecular relation to the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

scholarly journals Role of MicroRNA-1 in Human Cancer and Its Therapeutic Potentials

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Han ◽  
Zujiang Yu ◽  
Zhenfeng Duan ◽  
Quancheng Kan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Oncogenic Pathways ◽  
Proliferation And Metastasis

While the mechanisms of human cancer development are not fully understood, evidence of microRNA (miRNA, miR) dysregulation has been reported in many human diseases, including cancer. miRs are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate posttranscriptional gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in the specific region of gene mRNAs, resulting in downregulation of gene expression. Not only are certain miRs consistently dysregulated across many cancers, but they also play critical roles in many aspects of cell growth, proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, and drug resistance. Recent studies from our group and others revealed that miR-1 is frequently downregulated in various types of cancer. Through targeting multiple oncogenes and oncogenic pathways, miR-1 has been demonstrated to be a tumor suppressor gene that represses cancer cell proliferation and metastasis and promotes apoptosis by ectopic expression. In this review, we highlight recent findings on the aberrant expression and functional significance of miR-1 in human cancers and emphasize its significant values for therapeutic potentials.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Regulation and Measurement of Epigenetic Changes

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly E. Stephens ◽  
Christine A. Miaskowski ◽  
Jon D. Levine ◽  
Clive R. Pullinger ◽  
Bradley E. Aouizerat
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Epigenetic Regulation ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Transcript Stability ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Specific Tissue

Epigenetic mechanisms provide an adaptive layer of control in the regulation of gene expression that enables an organism to adjust to a changing environment. Epigenetic regulation increases the functional complexity of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by altering chromatin structure, nuclear organization, and transcript stability. These changes may additively or synergistically influence gene expression and result in long-term molecular and functional consequences independent of the DNA sequence that may ultimately define an individual’s phenotype. This article (1) describes histone modification, DNA methylation, and expression of small noncoding RNA species; (2) reviews the most common methods used to measure these epigenetic changes; and (3) presents factors that need to be considered when choosing a specific tissue to evaluate for epigenetic changes.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Modulation of Chromatin States and Gene Expression by G-Quadruplex Structures

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 4172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Reina ◽  
Vincenzo Cavalieri
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
G Quadruplex ◽  
Epigenetic Modulation

G-quadruplexes are four-stranded helical nucleic acid structures formed by guanine-rich sequences. A considerable number of studies have revealed that these noncanonical structural motifs are widespread throughout the genome and transcriptome of numerous organisms, including humans. In particular, G-quadruplexes occupy strategic locations in genomic DNA and both coding and noncoding RNA molecules, being involved in many essential cellular and organismal functions. In this review, we first outline the fundamental structural features of G-quadruplexes and then focus on the concept that these DNA and RNA structures convey a distinctive layer of epigenetic information that is critical for the complex regulation, either positive or negative, of biological activities in different contexts. In this framework, we summarize and discuss the proposed mechanisms underlying the functions of G-quadruplexes and their interacting factors. Furthermore, we give special emphasis to the interplay between G-quadruplex formation/disruption and other epigenetic marks, including biochemical modifications of DNA bases and histones, nucleosome positioning, and three-dimensional organization of chromatin. Finally, epigenetic roles of RNA G-quadruplexes in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression are also discussed. Undoubtedly, the issues addressed in this review take on particular importance in the field of comparative epigenetics, as well as in translational research.

scholarly journals Involvement of MicroRNA in Microglia-Mediated Immune Response

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Guedes ◽  
A. L. C. Cardoso ◽  
M. C. Pedroso de Lima
Keyword(s):  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Activation Process ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small noncoding RNA molecules that play an important role in the regulation of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Due to their ability to simultaneously modulate the fate of different genes, these molecules are particularly well suited to act as key regulators during immune cell differentiation and activation, and their dysfunction can contribute to pathological conditions associated with neuroinflammation. Recent studies have addressed the role of miRNAs in the differentiation of progenitor cells into microglia and in the activation process, aiming at clarifying the origin of adult microglia cells and the contribution of the central nervous system (CNS) environment to microglia phenotype, in health and disease. Altered expression of several miRNAs has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and ischemic injury, hence strongly advocating the use of these small molecules as disease markers and new therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the recent advances in the field of miRNA-mediated regulation of microglia development and activation. We discuss the role of specific miRNAs in the maintenance and switching of microglia activation states and illustrate the potential of this class of nucleic acids both as biomarkers of inflammation and new therapeutic tools for the modulation of microglia behavior in the CNS.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Asslaber ◽  
Josefina Piñón Hofbauer ◽  
Richard Greil ◽  
Alexander Egle
Keyword(s):  
Mirna Expression ◽  
Tumor Suppressors ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Regulate Gene Expression ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Posttranscriptional Level ◽  
Regulate Gene

miRNAs are small-noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression on a posttranscriptional level. A number of oncogenes and tumor suppressors were found to be targets of miRNAs and global miRNA expression signatures were able to distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. Therefore it was not surprising that some miRNAs could be linked to the pathogenesis of cancer. In this review we provide an overview of the use of microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic tools in cancer and focus on the use of miRNA expression as biomarker for disease activity.

scholarly journals Interaction between Host MicroRNAs and the Gut Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer

mSystems ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ce Yuan ◽  
Michael B. Burns ◽  
Subbaya Subramanian ◽  
Ran Blekhman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Mirna Expression ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna

ABSTRACT Although variation in gut microbiome composition has been linked with colorectal cancer (CRC), the factors that mediate the interactions between CRC tumors and the microbiome are poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate CRC progression and are associated with patient survival outcomes. In addition, recent studies suggested that host miRNAs can also regulate bacterial growth and influence the composition of the gut microbiome. Here, we investigated the association between miRNA expression and microbiome composition in human CRC tumor and normal tissues. We identified 76 miRNAs as differentially expressed (DE) in tissue from CRC tumors and normal tissue, including the known oncogenic miRNAs miR-182, miR-503, and mir-17~92 cluster. These DE miRNAs were correlated with the relative abundances of several bacterial taxa, including Firmicutes , Bacteroidetes , and Proteobacteria . Bacteria correlated with DE miRNAs were enriched with distinct predicted metabolic categories. Additionally, we found that miRNAs that correlated with CRC-associated bacteria are predicted to regulate targets that are relevant for host-microbiome interactions and highlight a possible role for miRNA-driven glycan production in the recruitment of pathogenic microbial taxa. Our work characterized a global relationship between microbial community composition and miRNA expression in human CRC tissues. IMPORTANCE Recent studies have found an association between colorectal cancer (CRC) and the gut microbiota. One potential mechanism by which the microbiota can influence host physiology is through affecting gene expression in host cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that can regulate gene expression and have important roles in cancer development. Here, we investigated the link between the gut microbiota and the expression of miRNA in CRC. We found that dozens of miRNAs are differentially regulated in CRC tumors and adjacent normal colon and that these miRNAs are correlated with the abundance of microbes in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we found that microbes that have been previously associated with CRC are correlated with miRNAs that regulate genes related to interactions with microbes. Notably, these miRNAs likely regulate glycan production, which is important for the recruitment of pathogenic microbial taxa to the tumor. This work provides a first systems-level map of the association between microbes and host miRNAs in the context of CRC and provides targets for further experimental validation and potential interventions.

scholarly journals The Role of Translation Initiation Regulation in Haematopoiesis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Godfrey Grech ◽  
Marieke von Lindern
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Translation Initiation ◽  
Translational Control ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Translation Control ◽  
Haematological Disorders

Organisation of RNAs into functional subgroups that are translated in response to extrinsic and intrinsic factors underlines a relatively unexplored gene expression modulation that drives cell fate in the same manner as regulation of the transcriptome by transcription factors. Recent studies on the molecular mechanisms of inflammatory responses and haematological disorders indicate clearly that the regulation of mRNA translation at the level of translation initiation, mRNA stability, and protein isoform synthesis is implicated in the tight regulation of gene expression. This paper outlines how these posttranscriptional control mechanisms, including control at the level of translation initiation factors and the role of RNA binding proteins, affect hematopoiesis. The clinical relevance of these mechanisms in haematological disorders indicates clearly the potential therapeutic implications and the need of molecular tools that allow measurement at the level of translational control. Although the importance of miRNAs in translation control is well recognised and studied extensively, this paper will exclude detailed account of this level of control.

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