Tag Archives: microRNA
Charme, the missing link in myogenesis
The central dogma of molecular biology stated that genes encode for proteins and that DNA, which makes up our genomes, mainly produces RNAs which are translated into proteins. However, the completion of the human genome sequence together
The RAS mRNA G-quadruplex: making undruggable cancer targets druggable
In many cancers, RAS proteins are constitutively activated by their oncogenic mutations or activation of their upstream molecules. RAS proteins play a central role in cancer cell malignancy, and drugs that target RAS are therefore believed to
MicroRNAs control cellular transition of hepatocytes during liver regeneration
Among adult organs, the liver is unique in its intrinsic ability to regenerate after injury through the proliferation of fully differentiated cells. Hepatocytes, which are the most abundant type of cells in liver, are quiescent and rarely
Frac-seq uncovers widespread RNA dysregulation in severe asthma
Asthma is a common chronic disease consisting of constriction and inflammation of the airways as well as structural changes known as remodelling (Fig. 1). 5-10% of patients have severe asthma, whereby symptoms persist despite regular and correct
How well can serum miRNAs diagnose amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that damages motor neurons. As the disease progresses, patients gradually loose exercise capacity. Finally, they die due to the lack of breathability. No effective therapy was found for ALS
miR-146 and miR-155, two key modulators of the immune response and of the oncogenic transformation
Micro-RNA (miRNAs or miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate protein coding gene transcripts and exert an important role in the control of gene expression. miRs are deregulated in many tumors and play an active role
Targeting microRNAs for thyroid cancer therapy
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped endocrine organ located at the base of the throat, just below the Adam´s apple. Its function is to concentrate dietary iodine from the bloodstream and produce thyroid hormones, which have
The road to new aortic valve disease treatment: Innovations in 3D models and drug delivery
Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD) resulting in aortic stenosis is a common heart disease that affects 25% of people over 65 years old, causing 17,000 deaths per year in the USA. The aortic valve regulates blood flow
Molecular mechanism of phenotypic plasticity
Darwinian evolution is considered to be the way that life adapts in every possible environment in Earth. The great evolutionary biologist of the past century Theodosius Dobzansky used to say: “Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in
Teasing apart the roles that oncogenic miRNAs play in breast cancer
Oncogenic miRNA and breast cancer Since the early 2000’s, the field of RNA has been contributing to major discoveries in cancer research. McroRNAs are small RNA molecules (miRNA), inhibit the messenger RNAs that produce our proteins. Normally,
MicroRNAs identify high-risk colon cancer patients
Choosing the optimal anticancer treatment for each patient requires proper disease staging. Staging is usually assessed according to the TNM system: tumour size (T), number of nearby lymph nodes affected (N), and metastasis, or spread to other
Mutations in the SHOX2 gene contribute to irregular heartbeats
Heart rhythm disorders contribute significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and represent a major health issue. Developing approaches towards disease prediction and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is therefore an important topic in healthy aging. Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Uncovering the microRNA landscape in the crop pest nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Plant-parasitic nematodes are small roundworms that predominantly feed on roots and cause crop yield losses. The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is among the most damaging pests of several crops including cotton, tomato, and soybean. The infective stage
Silencing a microRNA may keep the doctor away for diabetic wounds
Patients with diabetes are frequently afflicted with impaired wound healing that may progress into chronic, diabetic ulcers, often leading to complications including limb amputation with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. These ulcers occur not only in
A new technique for quantification of small RNA variants with a single-nucleotide resolution
Non – protein – coding regions of the genome are widely transcribed to produce non – coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which play a crucial role in various biological processes and diseases. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have
How the immune system is regulated by small RNAs called microRNAs to prevent self-attacks leading to autoimmunity
The ability to properly engage the different arms of the immune response is essential for protection from pathogens but also for preventing autoimmune reactions against normal tissue. Central to autoimmune prevention are a class of white blood
Blocking miR-212/132 in T cells is a potential therapy for treating colitis
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is thought to be caused by aberrant immune response to host intestinal microbiota, leading inflammation in gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, anemia,
Can hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases be caused by Dark-Matter-like RNAs?
Hypertension is a common but one of the most important health problems, because it is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension is a multi-factorial disease involving complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. To treat
