microRNA Expression (microrna + expression)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


MicroRNA expression during chick embryo development

DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 11 2006
Diana K. Darnell
Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, abundant, noncoding RNAs that modulate protein abundance by interfering with target mRNA translation or stability. miRNAs are detected in organisms from all domains and may regulate 30% of transcripts in vertebrates. Understanding miRNA function requires a detailed determination of expression, yet this has not been reported in an amniote species. High-throughput whole mount in situ hybridization was performed on chicken embryos to map expression of 135 miRNA genes including five miRNAs that had not been previously reported in chicken. Eighty-four miRNAs were detected before day 5 of embryogenesis, and 75 miRNAs showed differential expression. Whereas few miRNAs were expressed during formation of the primary germ layers, the number of miRNAs detected increased rapidly during organogenesis. Patterns highlighted cell-type, organ or structure-specific expression, localization within germ layers and their derivatives, and expression in multiple cell and tissue types and within sub-regions of structures and tissues. A novel group of miRNAs was highly expressed in most tissues but much reduced in one or a few organs, including the heart. This study presents the first comprehensive overview of miRNA expression in an amniote organism and provides an important foundation for investigations of miRNA gene regulation and function. Developmental Dynamics 235:3156,3165, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


MicroRNA expression in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Charles H. Lawrie
First page of article [source]


Role and therapeutic potential of microRNAs in diabetes

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 2009
I. G. M. Kolfschoten
The discovery in mammalian cells of hundreds of small RNA molecules, called microRNAs, with the potential to modulate the expression of the majority of the protein-coding genes has revolutionized many areas of biomedical research, including the diabetes field. MicroRNAs function as translational repressors and are emerging as key regulators of most, if not all, physiological processes. Moreover, alterations in the level or function of microRNAs are associated with an increasing number of diseases. Here, we describe the mechanisms governing the biogenesis and activities of microRNAs. We present evidence for the involvement of microRNAs in diabetes mellitus, by outlining the contribution of these small RNA molecules in the control of pancreatic ,-cell functions and by reviewing recent studies reporting changes in microRNA expression in tissues isolated from diabetes animal models. MicroRNAs hold great potential as therapeutic targets. We describe the strategies developed for the delivery of molecules mimicking or blocking the function of these tiny regulators of gene expression in living animals. In addition, because changes in serum microRNA profiles have been shown to occur in association with different human diseases, we also discuss the potential use of microRNAs as blood biomarkers for prevention and management of diabetes. [source]


Expression of microRNAs and protein-coding genes associated with perineural invasion in prostate cancer,

THE PROSTATE, Issue 11 2008
Robyn L. Prueitt
Abstract Background Perineural invasion (PNI) is the dominant pathway for local invasion in prostate cancer. To date, only few studies have investigated the molecular differences between prostate tumors with PNI and those without it. Methods To evaluate the involvement of both microRNAs and protein-coding genes in PNI, we determined their genome-wide expression with a custom microRNA microarray and Affymetrix GeneChips in 50 prostate adenocarcinomas with PNI and 7 without it. In situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry was used to validate candidate genes. Results Unsupervised classification of the 57 adenocarcinomas revealed two clusters of tumors with distinct global microRNA expression. One cluster contained all non-PNI tumors and a subgroup of PNI tumors. Significance analysis of microarray data yielded a list of microRNAs associated with PNI. At a false discovery rate (FDR) <10%, 19 microRNAs were higher expressed in PNI tumors than in non-PNI tumors. The most differently expressed microRNA was miR-224. ISH showed that this microRNA is expressed by perineural cancer cells. The analysis of protein-coding genes identified 34 transcripts that were differently expressed by PNI status (FDR,<,10%). These transcripts were down-regulated in PNI tumors. Many of those encoded metallothioneins and proteins with mitochondrial localization and involvement in cell metabolism. Consistent with the microarray data, perineural cancer cells tended to have lower metallothionein expression by immunohistochemistry than nonperineural cancer cells. Conclusions Although preliminary, our findings suggest that alterations in microRNA expression, mitochondrial function, and cell metabolism occur at the transition from a noninvasive prostate tumor to a tumor with PNI. Prostate 68: 1152,1164, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Profiling microRNA expression in bovine articular cartilage and implications for mechanotransduction

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 8 2009
Walter Dunn
Objective Articular cartilage is an avascular tissue with precise polarity and organization comprising 3 distinct functional zones: the surface, middle, and deep zones. Each zone has a different gene expression pattern that plays a specific role in articular cartilage development and maintenance. MicroRNA (miRNA) are small noncoding gene products that play an important regulatory role in determining cell differentiation and function. The purpose of this study was to test our hypothesis that miRNA expression profiles in the different articular cartilage zones as well as between regions subjected to different levels of weight-bearing stresses are unique. Methods Using an miRNA microarray approach in conjunction with quantitative reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction, we identified miRNA in bovine articular cartilage that were differentially expressed in the different functional zones and in the anterior weight-bearing and posterior non,weight-bearing regions of the medial femoral condyle (M1 and M4, respectively). Results We identified miRNA-221 and miR-222 as part of a subset of differentially expressed miRNA that were up-regulated in articular cartilage in the anterior, M1, greater weight-bearing location. Additionally, miR-126, miR-145, and miR-335 were down-regulated in monolayers of tissue-cultured chondrocytes as compared with levels determined directly from intact native cartilage. Conclusion In conclusion, miR-222 expression patterns in articular cartilage are higher in the weight-bearing anterior medial condyle as compared with the posterior non,weight-bearing medial condyle. Thus, miR-222 might be a potential regulator of an articular cartilage mechanotransduction pathway. These data implicate miRNA in the maintenance of articular cartilage homeostasis and are therefore targets for articular cartilage tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. [source]


Contrast in aberrant microRNA expression in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis: Is microRNA-146 all we need?

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2009
Edward K. L. Chan
First page of article [source]