title: MicroRNAs and endocrine biology.
abstract: microRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, non-coding RNAs that powerfully regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. These fascinating molecules play essential roles in many biological processes in mammals, including insulin secretion, B-cell development, and adipocyte differentiation. This review provides a general background regarding current knowledge about miRNA biogenesis and the potential contributions of these RNAs to endocrine function.
authors.affiliation: UCSF Diabetes Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94122-0534, USA.
authors.forename: Trinna L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Cuellar
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D060565:Argonaute Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010179:Pancreas / Q000502:physiology; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: C466422:AGO2 protein, human; D060565:Argonaute Proteins; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2; D035683:MicroRNAs; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors