MicroRNA: key gene expression regulators

MicroRNAs, also called miRNAs, are small 19-22 nucleotide (nt) sequences of noncoding RNA that work as endogenous epigenetic gene expression regulators. They are transcribed as large primary miRNAs or pre-miRNAs by RNA polymerase II and III, and are subsequently processed by the ribonucleases Drosha and Dicer to give rise to their mature forms. These mature miRNAs are then incorporated into the RISC complex (RNA-induced silencing complex) where they bind to the 3'-UTR mRNA complementary region, which induces their degradation or inhibits their translation, resulting in gene silencing. MicroRNAs are essential for embryo, cell, and tissue development, regulating cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis, hence their importance in human reproduction. Currently, methods of detecting these molecules include real-time polymerase chain reaction, microarrays, in situ hybridization, and deep sequencing as well as novel approaches such as Nanostring nCounter. However, functional characterization is still required to confirm their biologic roles. Furthermore, miRNAs are not only found in cells but also have been identified in most biologic fluids, including serum, plasma, and saliva. Once miRNAs are secreted by cells, they are either incorporated into microvesicles or become associated with proteins, which protect them from RNase degradation so that they may remain intact for long periods of time. This suggests that they might also mediate paracrine signaling via different pathways and could therefore represent potential new biomarkers. Indeed, many pharmaceutic companies have recently started to investigate these molecules as possible routes to develop new human disease treatments.