microRNA News and Research

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In genetics, microRNAs (miRNA) are single-stranded RNA molecules of 21-23 nucleotides in length, which regulate gene expression. miRNAs are encoded by genes from whose DNA they are transcribed but miRNAs are not translated into protein (i.e. they are non-coding RNAs); instead each primary transcript (a pri-miRNA) is processed into a short stem-loop structure called a pre-miRNA and finally into a functional miRNA. Mature miRNA molecules are partially complementary to one or more messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, and their main function is to down-regulate gene expression.

Researchers discover molecular mechanism that explains why moles become melanomas

Moles and melanomas are both skin tumors that come from the same cell called melanocytes. The difference is that moles are usually harmless, while melanomas are cancerous and often deadly without treatment.

24 Nov 2021

Study identifies molecular changes in red blood cells that cause vascular damage in type 2 diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, the modified function of the red blood cells causes vascular damage.

15 Nov 2021

Junk DNA' plays a crucial role in early embryonic development in all mammals, study shows

Nearly half of our DNA has been written off as junk, the discards of evolution: sidelined or broken genes, viruses that got stuck in our genome and were dismembered or silenced, none of it relevant to the human organism or human evolution.

19 Oct 2021

Extracellular vesicles synchronize cell activity, says study

Cells in the body work together, similar to an ant colony or even people in an office achieve the tasks.

4 Oct 2021

Researchers discover nucleotide sequences characteristic of microRNA isoforms

Researchers from HSE University have discovered nucleotide sequences characteristic of microRNA isoforms (microRNAs with errors).

22 Jul 2021

Exposure to even low levels of lead can trigger epigenetic changes

A research team from Brazil and Portugal has identified a link between a microRNA (miRNA) and the presence of lead in an organism.

18 May 2021

Study identifies a pair of microRNA molecules that maintain the population of cancerous stem cells

A research team from Italy has discovered a pair of microRNA molecules that assist in maintaining a population of cancerous stem cells that fuel the growth of breast cancers and trigger tumor relapse after treatment.

5 Apr 2021

Study reveals molecular profiles of Parkinson's disease

The second most common neurodegenerative disorder is Parkinson’s disease, but despite this, not much is known about the causes of this condition.

17 Mar 2021

Scientists invent new RNA drug-discovery tool for undruggable diseases

Imagine trying to throw a bullseye when the dartboard lies buried within a crumpled box. That's the challenge faced by scientists working to make new medicines for some "undruggable" diseases, including a type of metastatic breast cancer.

16 Dec 2020

New approach can prevent toxicity linked to neurological gene therapy

Scientists have deigned a new method to inhibit a toxicity observed in the sensory neurons of DRG following gene therapy to treat neurological diseases.

12 Nov 2020

Teratomas could provide a new glance at human development

Finding just the right model to study human development--from the early embryonic stage onward--has been a challenge for scientists over the last decade.

5 Nov 2020

Study offers insight on how muscles and fat tissue communicate to improve fitness

Why does exercise training make you more fit? It's well established that exercising enhances insulin sensitivity and improves our metabolism that, in turn, increases exercise performance. But the biological mechanisms underlying this adaptation are not fully understood.

15 Sep 2020

Study reveals key biomolecule that can heal damaged heart tissues

When a person suffers a heart attack, parts of the heart can become stiff and scarred, leading to disability and possible progression toward heart failure.

26 Aug 2020

SIDT1 in the mammalian stomach mediates absorption of dietary miRNAs

In a new study published in Cell Research, Chen-Yu Zhang's group at Nanjing University School of Life Sciences, China, reports that SIDT1 in the mammalian stomach mediates host uptake of dietary and orally administered microRNAs (miRNAs), thus exerting biological functions in the host.

18 Aug 2020

Exercise induces changes in sweat biomolecule levels, shows study

A new study shows that in addition to blood, endurance exercise induces changes in sweat biomolecule levels. These findings lay the groundwork for the development of future noninvasive exercise monitoring systems that utilize sweat as a biomarker source.

13 Aug 2020