MicroRNAs: emerging roles in adipogenesis and obesity.
Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide associated with an increased risk of life-threatening diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and certain types of cancer. Understanding the molecular basis of adipogenesis and fat cell development in obesity is essential to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the development of anti-obesity drugs. Recent computational and experimental studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) appear to play regulatory roles in many biological processes associated with obesity, including adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism. In addition, many miRNAs are dysregulated in metabolic tissues from obese animals and humans, which potentially contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity-associated complications. The discovery of circulating miRNAs has highlighted their potential as both endocrine signaling molecules and disease markers. The potential of miRNA based therapeutics targeting obesity is highlighted as well as recommendations for future research which could lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of obesity.
Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Agricultural Ministry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
Yongdong
Y
Peng
Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Agricultural Ministry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
Shulong
S
Yu
Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Agricultural Ministry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
Huanan
H
Li
Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Agricultural Ministry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
Hong
H
Xiang
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: pengjianhzau@163.com.
Jian
J
Peng
Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Agricultural Ministry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: jiangsiwen@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
Siwen
S
Jiang
D050156:Adipogenesis; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051779:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D035683:MicroRNAs; D051779:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins
Adipocyte differentiation; Adipogenesis; Lipid metabolism; Obesity; Therapeutic; microRNA