Regulation Of Micrornas

This edited reflects the current state of knowledge about the role of microRNAs in the formation and progression of solid tumours. The main focus lies on computational methods and applications, together with cutting edge experimental techniques that are used to approach all aspects of microRNA regulation in cancer. We are sure that the emergence of high-throughput quantitative techniques will make this integrative approach absolutely necessary in the near future. This book will be a resource for researchers starting out with cancer microRNA research, but is also intended for the experienced researcher who wants to incorporate concepts and tools from systems biology and bioinformatics into his work. Bioinformaticians and modellers are provided with a general perspective on microRNA biology in cancer, and the state-of-the-art in computational microRNA biology.

Given this pervasiveness and importance of miRNA-mediated gene regulation, it should come as little surprise that miRNAs themselves are also highly regulated. However, the recent explosion of knowledge on this topic has been remarkable, providing a primary motivation for publication of this book. As miRNAs are transcribed by RNA polymerase II, the enzyme that also generates mRNAs, it was perhaps not unexpected that miRNA transcription would be subject to regulation, and we have willfully mitted this aspect from this monograph. However, what has been unexpected is the extent of post-transcriptional regulation of miRNAs that is illustrated in this book.

Precise regulation of gene expression in both time and space is vital to plant growth, development and adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress conditions. This is achieved by multiple mechanisms, with perhaps the most important control being exerted at the level of transcription. However, with the recent discovery of microRNAs another ubiquitous mode of gene regulation that occurs at the post-transcriptional level has been identified. MicroRNAs can silence gene expression by targeting complementary or partially complementary mRNAs for degradation or translational inhibition. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs play fundamental roles in plant growth and development, as well as in adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. This book highlights the roles of individual miRNAs that control and regulate diverse aspects of plant processes.

This book includes updated information about microRNA regulation, for example, in the fields of circular RNAs, multiomics analysis, biomarkers and oncogenes. The variety of topics included in this book reaffirms the extent to which microRNA regulation affects biological processes. Although microRNAs are not translated to proteins, their importance for biological processes is not less than proteins. An understanding of their roles in various biological processes is critical to understanding gene function in these biological processes. Although non-coding RNAs other than microRNAs have recently come under investigation, microRNA still remains the front runner as the subject of genetic and biological studies. In reading the collection of papers, readers can grasp the most updated information regarding microRNA regulation, which will continue to be an important topic in genetics and biology.

The world is faced with an epidemic of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is due to changes in dietary habits and the decrease in physical activity. Exercise is usually part of the prescription, the first line of defense, to prevent or treat metabolic disorders. However, we are still learning how and why exercise provides metabolic benefits in human health. This open access volume focuses on the cellular and molecular pathways that link exercise, muscle biology, hormones and metabolism. This will include novel “myokines” that might act as new therapeutic agents in the future.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that play a crucial role in posttranscriptional gene regulation. Over two thousand miRNAs have been identified in humans, and many of them are conserved in other species. miRNAs are implicated in fundamental cellular functions, including development and disease. In the last decade, there has been an overwhelming amount of data contributing to the understanding of miRNA biogenesis and their target genes. Moreover, a significant amount of work has been carried out in developing miRNA biomarkers and therapeutics for various disease conditions. RNA-based markers and therapeutics have been proven to have a clinical impact, and many of these miRNA-based therapies are at various stages of human clinical trials and clinical applications. Notably, miRNAs are also found in exosomes, and are considered to impart intercellular communication and function via several different modalities, including tunneling nanotubes. In spite of our understanding of miRNA biology and function, there are many challenges in effectively using miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic agents in clinical applications. In this Special Issue, we are inviting reviews, perspectives, and original research articles to address some of these challenges. Topics will include, but are not limited to, miRNA biogenesis, clinical applications, extracellular function, biomarkers, miRNA immune regulation, signaling pathways, and preclinical models.

New Findings Revolutionize Concepts of Gene Function Endogenous small RNAs have been found in various organisms, including humans, mice, flies, worms, fungi, and bacteria. Furthermore, it's been shown that microRNAs acting as cellular rheostats have the ability to modulate gene expression. In higher eukaryotes, microRNAs may regulate as much as 50 percent of gene expression. Regulation of Gene Expression by Small RNAs brings together the pioneering work of researchers who discuss their work involving a wide variety of small RNA regulatory pathways in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. In addition to exploring the biogenesis and processing of these regulatory RNAs, they also consider the functional importance of these pathways in host organisms. Assisting current and future researchers, this unique groundbreaking work -- Provides a suite of cutting-edge resources for the study of microRNA ontology and function Includes a technology guide for those seeking to assay microRNA expression Explores the mechanisms by which microRNAs regulate gene expression in animal cells, including the regulation of gene expression by RNA-mediated transcriptional gene silencing Discusses a fast and low-cost approach for reversing genetic influences in mammals Looks at breakthroughs in the use of microRNA-based therapy for HIV and cancer This volume captures the essence of the breadth and excitement surrounding the newly discovered regulatory roles of small RNAs. The powerful new approach in the study of gene function described in this text is leading to some remarkable findings that have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of genetic function and the treatment of diseases otherwise considered intractable.

This book discusses topics related to the topological structure and biological function of gene networks regulated by microRNAs. It focuses on analyzing the relation between topological structure and biological function, applying these theoretical results to gene networks involving microRNA, illustrating their biological mechanisms, and identifying the roles of microRNA in controlling various phenomena emerging from the networks. In addition, the book explains how to control the complex biological phenomena using mathematical tools and offers a new perspective on studying microRNA. It is a useful resource for graduate students and researchers who are working on or interested in microRNAs and gene network.