Search

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are tiny regulators of gene expression on the posttranscriptional level. Since the discovery of the first miRNA 20 years ago, thousands of them have been described. The discovered miRNAs have regulatory functions in biological and pathological processes. Biologically, miRNAs have been implicated in development, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses. In this work, we summarize the role of miRNA in biological processes taking into account the various areas named above.

About 20 years have passed since the discovery of the first microRNA (miRNA) and by now microRNAs are implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Since the discovery of the powerful effect miRNAs have on biological processes, it has been suggested that mutations affecting miRNA function may play a role in the pathogenesis of human diseases. Over the past several years microRNAs have been found to play a major role in various human diseases. In addition, many studies aim to apply miRNAs for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in human diseases. In this chapter, we summarize the role of miRNAs in pathological processes and discuss how miRNAs could be used as disease biomarkers.