The miRNA Interactome in Metabolic Homeostasis.
Global expression analyses demonstrate that alterations in miRNA levels correlate with various metabolic diseases. miRNAs regulate central metabolic pathways and thus play vital roles in maintaining organismal energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. Here we highlight novel sequencing technologies used to comprehensively define the target spectrum of miRNAs in metabolic disease that complement recent literature reporting physiologic roles for miRNAs in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues of animal models of metabolic dysfunction. These emerging technologies help decipher the complexity of the miRNA interactome and enrich our understanding of how miRNAs mediate physiologic effects by targeting a spectrum of gene transcripts simultaneously. miRNA-based therapeutics emerge as a viable strategy for treating metabolic diseases.
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: hartig@bcm.edu.
Sean M
SM
Hartig
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Mark P
MP
Hamilton
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
David A
DA
Bader
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA. Electronic address: sean.mcguire@bcm.edu.
Sean E
SE
McGuire
D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D035683:MicroRNAs
adipose tissue; insulin; lipid metabolism; miRNA; sequencing