title: The impact of microRNA gene regulation on the survival and function of mature cell types in the eye.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate multiple genes, often within the same pathway, fine-tuning expression of key factors and stabilizing gene networks against aberrant fluctuations. The demanding physiologic functions of photoreceptor cells and the retinal pigmented epithelium necessitate precise gene regulation to maintain their homeostasis and function, thus rendering these postmitotic cells vulnerable to premature death in retinal degenerative disorders. Recent studies of the physiologic impact of miRNAs in these cells clearly demonstrate that miRNAs are an essential component of that gene regulation. These important advances provide the foundation for future exploration of miRNA-regulated gene networks in the eye to facilitate the development of miRNA-targeted therapeutics to combat blinding diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA trs7@case.edu kxp65@case.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Sundermeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA trs7@case.edu kxp65@case.edu.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palczewski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: RPE; gene therapy; photoreceptor; retina; retinal degeneration