A primate-specific microRNA enters the lung cancer landscape

The role of microRNAs in neurons and neuroimmune communication in the dorsal root ganglia in chronic pain

Despite being a life-restricting condition, chronic pain remains poorly treated. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain and thence development of innovative targets is therefore essential. Recently we have started to elucidate the importance of the role of microRNAs (miRs) in preclinical chronic pain. miRs are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate genes including those involved in nociceptive signalling. MiRs can exert their effects both intracellularly and extracellularly, the latter of which requires that they are released either as naked species or packaged in exosomes. Here we discuss changes in miR expression that occur in the dorsal root ganglia in murine models of chronic pain. We consider the downstream targets of changes in miR expression, including voltage-gated ion channels, as well as discuss extracellular consequences such as changes in macrophage phenotype that constitute of means by which neuron-immune cell crosstalk occurs. Such miR-mediated intracellular communication could provide a novel target for the treatment of chronic pain, which would be most effective if tailored to the specific cause of pain. Indeed, we conclude by reviewing evidence for the involvement of miRs in clinical cases of chronic pain, supporting the notion that tailored, miR-targeted therapies could prove to be an effective new strategy for the treatment of chronic pain clinically.

Bioinformatics Analysis of Evolution and Human Disease Related Transposable Element-Derived microRNAs

Transposable element (TE) has the ability to insert into certain parts of the genome, and due to this event, it is possible for TEs to generate new factors and one of these factors are microRNAs (miRNA). miRNAs are non-coding RNAs made up of 19 to 24 nucleotides and numerous miRNAs are derived from TE. In this study, to support general knowledge on TE and miRNAs derived from TE, several bioinformatics tools and databases were used to analyze miRNAs derived from TE in two aspects: evolution and human disease. The distribution of TEs in diverse species presents that almost half of the genome is covered with TE in mammalians and less than a half in other vertebrates and invertebrates. Based on selected evolution-related miRNAs studies, a total of 51 miRNAs derived from TE were found and analyzed. For the human disease-related miRNAs, total of 34 miRNAs derived from TE were organized from the previous studies. In summary, abundant miRNAs derived from TE are found, however, the function of miRNAs derived from TE is not informed either. Therefore, this study provides theoretical understanding of miRNAs derived from TE by using various bioinformatics tools.

Genome-wide tracts of homozygosity and exome analyses reveal repetitive elements with Barrets esophagus/esophageal adenocarcinoma risk

BACKGROUND

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is most commonly seen as the condition in which the normal squamous epithelium lining of the esophagus is replaced by goblet cells. Many studies show that BE is a predisposing factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a particularly lethal cancer. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to map BE/EAC genes has previously provided insufficient genetic information to fully characterize the heterogeneous nature of the disease. We therefore hypothesize that rigorous interrogation of other types of genomic changes, e.g. tracts of homozygosity (TOH), repetitive elements, and insertion/deletions, may provide a comprehensive understanding of the development of BE/EAC.

RESULTS

First, we used a case-control framework to identify TOHs by using SNPs and tested for association with BE/EAC. Second, we used a case only approach on a validation series of eight samples subjected to exome sequencing to identify repeat elements and insertion/deletions. Third, insertion/deletions and repeat elements identified in the exomes were then mapped onto genes in the significant TOH regions. Overall, 24 TOH regions were significantly differentially represented among cases, as compared to controls (adjusted-P = 0.002-0.039). Interestingly, four BE/EAC-associated genes within the TOH regions consistently showed insertions and deletions that overlapped across eight exomes. Predictive functional analysis identified NOTCH, WNT, and G-protein inflammation pathways that affect BE and EAC.

CONCLUSIONS

The integration of common TOHs (cTOHs) with repetitive elements, insertions, and deletions within exomes can help functionally prioritize factors contributing to low to moderate penetrance predisposition to BE/EAC.

The roles of non-coding RNAs in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is considered as a high prevalence neurodegenerative disorders worldwide. Pathologically, the demise of dopamine-producing cells, in large part due to an abnormal accumulation of the α-synuclein in the substantia nigra, is one of the main causes of the disease. Up until now, many de novo investigations have been conducted to disclose the mechanisms underlying in PD. Among them, impacts of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) on the pathogenesis and/or progression of PD need to be highlighted. microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) are more noteworthy in this context. miRNAs are small ncRNAs (with 18-25 nucleotide in length) that control the expression of multiple genes at post-transcriptional level, while lncRNAs have longer size (over 200 nucleotides) and are involved in some key biological processes through various mechanisms. Involvement of miRNAs has been well documented in the development of PD, particularly gene expression. Hence, in this current review, we will discuss the impacts of miRNAs in regulation of the expression of PD-related genes and the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of PD.