MicroRNA target site polymorphisms and human disease.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. They have been implicated in a broad range of biological processes, and miRNA-related genetic alterations probably underlie more human diseases than currently appreciated. Several studies have identified genetic variants in miRNA target sites that are claimed to be associated with disorders ranging from Parkinson's disease to cancer. However, careful assessment of these studies indicates that very few provide a combination of rigorous genetic and functional evidence. We therefore suggest a set of concrete recommendations to guide future investigations. Specifically, we highlight the importance of unbiased association studies and follow-up functional experiments for providing a clearer picture of the extent to which microRNA target site variations are relevant in various human diseases.
Sethupathy
Praveen
P
National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-8004, USA.
Collins
Francis S
FS
D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000235:genetics; D004194:Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000502:physiology*; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / Q000235:genetics; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000235:genetics; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics
D051940:B7-2 Antigen; C497964:CD86 protein, human; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D006680:HLA Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; C470302:HTR1B protein, human; C476055:HTR3E protein, human; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C495318:REEP1 protein, human; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; C505093:SLITRK1 protein, human; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase