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An Introduction to Small Non-coding RNAs: miRNA and snoRNA

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Abstract

Research into small non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) has fundamentally transformed our understanding of gene regulatory networks, especially at the post-transcriptional level. Although much is now known about the basic biology of small ncRNAs, our ability to recognize the impact of small ncRNA in disease states is preliminary, and the ability to effectively target them in vivo is very limited. However, given the larger and growing focus on targeting RNAs for disease therapeutics, what we do know about the intrinsic biology of these small RNAs makes them potentially attractive targets for pharmacologic manipulation. With that in mind, this review provides an introduction to the biology of small ncRNA, using microRNA (miRNA) and small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) as examples.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by funds from National Institutes of Health (T32-HL007081).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Ave. Campus, PO Box 8086, St Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA

    Christopher L. Holley

  2. Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Ave. Campus, PO Box 8086, St Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA

    Veli K. Topkara

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Correspondence to Christopher L. Holley.

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Holley, C.L., Topkara, V.K. An Introduction to Small Non-coding RNAs: miRNA and snoRNA. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 25, 151–159 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-011-6290-z

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