title: Control of mitochondrial activity by miRNAs.
abstract: Mitochondria supply energy for physiological function and they participate in the regulation of other cellular events including apoptosis, calcium homeostasis, and production of reactive oxygen species. Thus, mitochondria play a critical role in the cells. However, dysfunction of mitochondria is related to a variety of pathological processes and diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNAs about 22 nucleotides long, and they can bind to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of mRNAs, thereby inhibiting mRNA translation or promoting mRNA degradation. We summarize the molecular regulation of mitochondrial metabolism, structure, and function by miRNAs. Modulation of miRNAs levels may provide a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of mitochondria-related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Peifeng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jianqing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: Guifeng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Bellur S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Prabhakar
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D035683:MicroRNAs