title: An overview of microRNAs.
abstract: The discovery of the first microRNA (miRNA) over 20 years ago has ushered in a new era in molecular biology. There are now over 2000 miRNAs that have been discovered in humans and it is believed that they collectively regulate one third of the genes in the genome. miRNAs have been linked to many human diseases and are being pursued as clinical diagnostics and as therapeutic targets. This review presents an overview of the miRNA pathway, including biogenesis routes, biological roles, and clinical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: hammond@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hammond
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055808:Drug Discovery; D006801:Humans; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D034622:RNA Interference; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D043244:Ribonuclease III
keywords: Argonaute; Dicer; Drosha; MicroRNA; RNAi; miRNA