MicroRNAs and ultraconserved genes as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), approximately 19-25 nucleotides in length, are posttranscriptional regulators of protein expression that target and inhibit translation of messenger (m) RNAs. Recent research on miRNAs has produced a plethora of new material on the role of miRNAs in disease. Deregulation or ablation of miRNA expression has led to major pathologies including heart disease and cancer. Signatures of differential miRNA expression have been uncovered for nearly every disease. Recent research has focused on exploitation of the selectivity of these signatures as markers of disease and for therapeutic applications. The significance of additional mechanisms of abnormal posttranscriptional regulation, such as ultraconserved genes (UCGs), has recently been recognized. This review focuses on the identification of aberrant posttranscriptional regulators (miRNAs and UCGs) in cancer and cardiovascular disease and addresses the applications of this work towards diagnosis and therapy.

• Authors: Julianna K Edwards, Renata Pasqualini, Wadih Arap, George A Calin
• Journal: Journal of cardiovascular translational research (J Cardiovasc Transl Res) Vol. 3 Issue 3 Pg. 271-9 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1937-5395 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20560048 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• MicroRNAs

Topics

• Animals
• Biomarkers, Tumor (metabolism)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (diagnosis, genetics, therapy)
• Conserved Sequence
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genetic Testing
• Genetic Therapy
• Humans
• MicroRNAs (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (diagnosis, genetics, therapy)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
• Treatment Outcome