Title:The Role of microRNAs in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Complications
Volume: 26
Issue: 46
Author(s): Stavroula A. Paschou*, Gerasimos Siasos, Niki Katsiki, Nikolaos Tentolouris and Dimitrios Tousoulis
Affiliation:
- Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527Athens,Greece
Keywords:
Diabetes, type 2, microRNAs, insulin, RNA, complications.
Abstract: MicroRNAs represent a class of small (19-25 nucleotides) single-strand pieces of RNA that are noncoding
ones. They are synthesized by RNA polymerase II from transcripts that fold back on themselves. They
mostly act as gene regulatory agents that pair with complementary sequences on mRNA and produce silencing
complexes, which, in turn, suppress coding genes at a post-transcriptional level. There is now evidence that microRNAs
may affect insulin secretion or insulin action, as they can alter pancreatic beta cells development, insulin
production, as well as insulin signaling. Any molecular disorder that affects these pathways can deteriorate
insulin resistance and lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) onset. Furthermore, the expression of several
microRNAs is up- or down-regulated in the presence of diabetic microvascular complications (i.e., peripheral
neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers), as well as in patients with coronary heart disease, stroke,
and peripheral artery disease. However, more evidence is needed, specifically regarding T2DM patients, to
establish the use of such microRNAs as diagnostical biomarkers or therapeutic targets in daily practice.