MicroRNA News and Research

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In genetics, microRNAs (miRNA) are single-stranded RNA molecules of 21-23 nucleotides in length, which regulate gene expression. miRNAs are encoded by genes from whose DNA they are transcribed but miRNAs are not translated into protein (i.e. they are non-coding RNAs); instead each primary transcript (a pri-miRNA) is processed into a short stem-loop structure called a pre-miRNA and finally into a functional miRNA. Mature miRNA molecules are partially complementary to one or more messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, and their main function is to down-regulate gene expression.

MicroRNA reduces tumor growth, increases cell death in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Researchers at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center have shown that the microRNA, miR-124, reduced tumor growth and increased cell death in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

17 Nov 2015

Scientists show how specialized cells help each other survive under stress

A team led by scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh has shown for the first time how one set of specialized cells survives under stress by manipulating the behavior of key immune system cells.

4 Nov 2015

Alnylam presents positive ongoing phase 2 open-label extension data for Patisiran and Revusiran

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced new results from its ongoing Phase 2 open-label extension (OLE) studies with patisiran and revusiran, investigational RNAi therapeutics targeting transthyretin (TTR) for the treatment of TTR-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR amyloidosis).

3 Nov 2015

Ultragenyx, Arcturus sign agreement to develop mRNA therapeutics to certain rare diseases

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel products for rare and ultra-rare diseases, and Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc., a leading RNA medicines company, today announced that they have entered into a research collaboration and license agreement to discover and develop messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics to certain rare disease targets using Arcturus' UNA Oligomer chemistry and LUNAR nanoparticle delivery platform.

29 Oct 2015

Four microRNAs appear to play critical roles in controlling cholesterol, triglyceride metabolism

Four tiny segments of RNA appear to play critical roles in controlling cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism. In their report receiving advance online publication in Nature Medicine, a Massachusetts General Hospital-based research team describes finding how these microRNAs could reduce the expression of proteins playing key roles in the generation of beneficial HDL cholesterol, the disposal of artery-clogging LDL cholesterol, control of triglyceride levels and other risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

27 Oct 2015

Gensignia gets CLIA certification to establish clinical laboratory in San Diego

Gensignia Life Sciences, Inc. (Gensignia) announced today that it received certification under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).

13 Oct 2015

New study finds that serum miRNA profiles change as myeloma progresses

Virtually all patients who develop myeloma have an asymptomatic disease called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in the years before the onset of myeloma. The five-year relative survival rate for myeloma is 69% for patients diagnosed with stage I or localized disease, compared with 45% for patients with advanced cancer.

30 Sep 2015

Scientists trace out intricate molecular pathway that may explain tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer patients

For reasons unknown, many patients with breast cancer treated with the estrogen receptor-blocking drug tamoxifen eventually become resistant to the treatment despite the fact that their cancer cells still have the estrogen receptor proteins that the drug normally targets.

24 Sep 2015

Exosomes provide a promising way to induce human stem cell differentiation

Regenerative medicine using stem cells is an increasingly promising approach to treat many types of injury. Transplanted stem cells can differentiate into just about any other kind of cell, including neurons to potentially reconnect a severed spinal cord and repair paralysis.

16 Sep 2015

GENFIT develops reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tool for NASH patients

GENFIT, a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of developing therapeutic and diagnostic solutions in metabolic and inflammatory diseases, that notably affect the liver or the gastrointestinal system, today announces the development of a new reliable and non-invasive diagnostic method, based on the measurement of a novel type of blood biomarker: small non-coding RNA, or miRNA.

16 Sep 2015

Dietary uptake of microRNAs certainly insufficient to affect physiological functions, reveal ETH biologists

The scientific world was astonished when, in 2011, Chinese researchers claimed to have found evidence suggesting that minute fragments of plant genetic material - so-called microRNA molecules - of rice ingested from food could play a role in regulating physiological processes in the human body. If this is indeed true, it might even be possible to deliberately modify human physiological functions via this route, for instance by incorporating microRNAs into novel functional foods.

9 Sep 2015

New study reveals pivotal role of miR-506 biomarker in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer poses a significant health problem in developing countries and is typically associated with late-stage diagnosis and high mortality. A new study in The American Journal of Pathology points to a pivotal role played by the biomarker microRNA (miR)-506 in gastric cancer.

8 Sep 2015

TGen scientists identify potential gene associated with NAFLD-related liver damage

In a first-of-its-kind exploratory study, the Translational Genomics Research Institute has identified a potential gene associated with the initiation of the most common cause of liver damage.

2 Sep 2015

Moffitt researchers hope to improve pancreatic cancer survival rates by developing blood test to identify IPMNs

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States and has a 5-year survival rate of only 6 percent, which is the lowest rate of all types of cancer according to the American Cancer Society.

29 Aug 2015

Mayo Clinic scientists discover potential way to reprogram cancer cells back to normalcy

Cancer researchers dream of the day they can force tumor cells to morph back to the normal cells they once were. Now, researchers on Mayo Clinic's Florida campus have discovered a way to potentially reprogram cancer cells back to normalcy.

25 Aug 2015

Scientists discover special brain mechanism that can retrieve unconscious memories

Some stressful experiences - such as chronic childhood abuse - are so overwhelming and traumatic, the memories hide like a shadow in the brain.

18 Aug 2015

New UBC research reveals alternative route to rein in glioma cancer cells

New UBC research into brain cancer suggests treatments should target the cells around a tumor to stop it from spreading.

13 Aug 2015

Study reveals that miR-7 suppresses gastric cancer by inhibiting key signaling pathway

A study in The Journal of Cell Biology reveals that the microRNA miR-7 suppresses gastric (stomach) cancer by inhibiting a key signaling pathway, and that this protective mechanism is compromised by the cancer-causing bacterium H. pylori. Finding drugs capable of inducing miR-7 could therefore prove to be an effective treatment against the progression of gastric cancer.

11 Aug 2015

Novel treatment target found for RV failure in PAH

Researchers have identified a molecular pathway by which downregulation of microRNA-126 contributes to right ventricular failure in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

10 Aug 2015

Recipients of GSA poster awards announced at 20th International C. elegans Meeting

The Genetics Society of America and the C. elegans research community are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA poster awards at the 20th International C. elegans Meeting, which took place at the University of California, Los Angeles, June 24-28, 2015.

28 Jul 2015

MicroRNA News and Research

Further Reading

MicroRNA reduces tumor growth, increases cell death in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Scientists show how specialized cells help each other survive under stress

Alnylam presents positive ongoing phase 2 open-label extension data for Patisiran and Revusiran

Ultragenyx, Arcturus sign agreement to develop mRNA therapeutics to certain rare diseases

Four microRNAs appear to play critical roles in controlling cholesterol, triglyceride metabolism

Gensignia gets CLIA certification to establish clinical laboratory in San Diego

New study finds that serum miRNA profiles change as myeloma progresses

Scientists trace out intricate molecular pathway that may explain tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer patients

Exosomes provide a promising way to induce human stem cell differentiation

GENFIT develops reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tool for NASH patients

Dietary uptake of microRNAs certainly insufficient to affect physiological functions, reveal ETH biologists

New study reveals pivotal role of miR-506 biomarker in gastric cancer

TGen scientists identify potential gene associated with NAFLD-related liver damage

Moffitt researchers hope to improve pancreatic cancer survival rates by developing blood test to identify IPMNs

Mayo Clinic scientists discover potential way to reprogram cancer cells back to normalcy

Scientists discover special brain mechanism that can retrieve unconscious memories

New UBC research reveals alternative route to rein in glioma cancer cells

Study reveals that miR-7 suppresses gastric cancer by inhibiting key signaling pathway

Novel treatment target found for RV failure in PAH

Recipients of GSA poster awards announced at 20th International C. elegans Meeting

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