miRNAs, polyphenols, and chronic disease

Identifier:  imarina:6387220

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina6387220

Authors:  Bladé, C; Baselga-Escudero, L; Salvadó, MJ; Arola-Arnal, A

Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, approximately 18-25 nucleotides in length, that modulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Thousands of miRNAs have been described, and it is thought that they regulate some aspects of more than 60% of all human cell transcripts. Several polyphenols have been shown to modulate miRNAs related to metabolic homeostasis and chronic diseases. Polyphenolic modulation of miRNAs is very attractive as a strategy to target numerous cell processes and potentially reduce the risk of chronic disease. Evidence is building that polyphenols can target specific miRNAs, such as miR-122, but more studies are necessary to discover and validate additional miRNA targets. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.