RESUMEN
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) representam uma nova classe de RNAs endógenos de ~22 nucleotídeos, que atuam como silenciadores pós-transcricionais, inibindo a tradução de RNAs mensageiros-alvo. Descobertos há pouco mais de uma década em Caenorhabditis elegans, os miRNAs são hoje reconhecidos como reguladores fundamentais da expressão gênica em plantas e animais. Até o momento, identificaram-se 462 genes de miRNA no genoma humano e estima-se que esse número supere 1000 miRNAs distintos. Análises bioinformáticas indicam que um único miRNA atue em diversos RNAs mensageiros, influenciando múltiplas vias de sinalização concomitantemente e apresentando enorme potencial regulatório. Apesar da biologia dos miRNAs ser ainda pouco entendida, essas moléculas já foram relacionadas a diversos processos biológicos. Além disso, a expressão anômala destes pequenos RNAs tem sido associada a diferentes patologias humanas, inclusive aquelas relacionadas ao sistema endócrino e câncer.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a novel class of endogenous ~22-nucleotide RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation of target RNAs. Discovered just over a decade ago in Caenorhabditis elegans, miRNAs are now recognized as one of the major regulatory gene families in plants and animals. In the human genome, 462 miRNA genes have been discovered and the estimated number of miRNAs is as high as 1000. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that a unique miRNA acts on several mRNA, influencing multiple signaling pathways concomitantly, thus presenting enormous regulatory potential. Although the biology of miRNAs is not well understood, recent evidences have linked these molecules to diverse biological processes. Moreover, aberrant expression of miRNAs has been associated to human disease, including that related to the endocrine system and cancer.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Animales , Sistema Endocrino/fisiopatología , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , MicroARNs/genética , Neoplasias/genética , Adipocitos/citología , Adipogénesis/fisiología , Biología Computacional , MicroARNs/metabolismo , Neoplasias/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a novel class of endogenous approximately 22-nucleotide RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation of target RNAs. Discovered just over a decade ago in Caenorhabditis elegans, miRNAs are now recognized as one of the major regulatory gene families in plants and animals. In the human genome, 462 miRNA genes have been discovered and the estimated number of miRNAs is as high as 1000. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that a unique miRNA acts on several mRNA, influencing multiple signaling pathways concomitantly, thus presenting enormous regulatory potential. Although the biology of miRNAs is not well understood, recent evidences have linked these molecules to diverse biological processes. Moreover, aberrant expression of miRNAs has been associated to human disease, including that related to the endocrine system and cancer.