Title:Non-coding RNAs and Hypertension–Unveiling Unexpected Mechanisms of Hypertension by the Dark Matter of the Genome
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Author(s): Kazuo Murakami
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Biomarker, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, lncRNA, long non-coding RNA, microRNA, miRNA, therapy.
Abstract: Hypertension is a major risk factor of cardiovascular diseases and a most important health
problem in developed countries. Investigations on pathophysiology of hypertension have been based
on gene products from coding region that occupies only about 1% of total genome region. On the
other hand, non-coding region that occupies almost 99% of human genome has been regarded as
“junk” for a long time and went unnoticed until these days. But recently, it turned out that noncoding
region is extensively transcribed to non-coding RNAs and has various functions. This review
highlights recent updates on the significance of non-coding RNAs such as micro RNAs and long
non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on the pathogenesis of hypertension, also providing an introduction to basic biology of noncoding
RNAs. For example, microRNAs are associated with hypertension via neuro-fumoral factor, sympathetic nerve
activity, ion transporters in kidneys, endothelial function, vascular smooth muscle phenotype transformation, or
communication between cells. Although reports of lncRNAs on pathogenesis of hypertension are scarce at the moment,
new lncRNAs in relation to hypertension are being discovered at a rapid pace owing to novel techniques such as
microarray or next-generation sequencing. In the clinical settings, clinical use of non-coding RNAs in identifying
cardiovascular risks or developing novel tools for treating hypertension such as molecular decoy or mimicks is promising,
although improvement in chemical modification or drug delivery system is necessary.
