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MicroRNAs: Control and Loss of Control in Human Physiology and Disease

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Abstract

Analysis of the human genome indicates that a large fraction of the genome sequences are RNAs that do not encode any proteins, also known as non-coding RNAs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNA molecules 20–22 nucleotides (nt) in length that are predicted to control the activity of approximately 30% of all protein-coding genes in mammals. miRNAs play important roles in many diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and immune disorders. The expression of miRNAs can be regulated by epigenetic modification, DNA copy number change, and genetic mutations. miRNAs can serve as a valuable therapeutic target for a large number of diseases. For miRNAs with oncogenic capabilities, potential therapies include miRNA silencing, antisense blocking, and miRNA modifications. For miRNAs with tumor suppression functions, overexpression of those miRNAs might be a useful strategy to inhibit tumor growth. In this review, we discuss the current progress of miRNA research, regulation of miRNA expression, prediction of miRNA targets, and regulatory role of miRNAs in human physiology and diseases, with a specific focus on miRNAs in pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, the immune system, and infectious disease. This review provides valuable information for clinicians and researchers who want to recognize the newest advances in this new field and identify possible lines of investigation in miRNAs as important mediators in human physiology and diseases.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank Dr. Yuqing Zhang and Dr. Hao Wang for their assistance in the literature search and critical discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Surgeon Research Center, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery-MARB 413, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop: BCM390, Houston, TX, 77030-3411, USA

    Min Li, Christian Marin-Muller, Uddalak Bharadwaj, Kwong-Hon Chow, Qizhi Yao & Changyi Chen

  2. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Qizhi Yao & Changyi Chen

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  1. Min Li
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  2. Christian Marin-Muller
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Correspondence to Changyi Chen.

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Li, M., Marin-Muller, C., Bharadwaj, U. et al. MicroRNAs: Control and Loss of Control in Human Physiology and Disease. World J Surg 33, 667–684 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-9836-x

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