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.

Luxembourg biologists provide complete image of human 'miRNome' in blood samples

In an elaborate study, biologists of the University of Luxembourg have found out that small molecules named microRNAs are, against many hopes, not yet suitable for early diagnosis of skin cancer, as well as supposedly for other types of cancer, in blood samples. For the first time they analysed all microRNAs in the serum of healthy people and thus provided a first complete image of the human "miRNome" in blood samples, in reference to the better-known "genome".

6 May 2015

Honokiol extract holds promise as adjunct treatment for bladder and kidney cancers

The botanical extract honokiol, a biologically active molecule isolated from the bark of Magnolia spp., holds promise as an adjunct treatment for aggressive bladder and kidney cancers, as reported in two new studies. New research on honokiol in bladder cancer was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2015.

22 Apr 2015

Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 signaling may open up new therapy options for lung cancer patients

New findings about regulation of PD-L1, a protein that allows cancer to evade the immune system, has shown therapeutic promise for several cancers, including the most common form of lung cancer.

21 Apr 2015

Research explores new, personalized ovarian cancer treatments

Identifying molecular changes that occur in tissue after chemotherapy could be crucial in advancing treatments for ovarian cancer, according to research from Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, partner with UPMC CancerCenter, presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2015.

20 Apr 2015

Winners of GSA poster awards announced at 56th Annual Drosophila Research Conference

The Genetics Society of America (GSA) and the Drosophila research community are pleased to announce the winners of the GSA poster awards at the 56th Annual Drosophila Research Conference, which took place in Chicago, IL, March 4-8, 2015.

10 Apr 2015

AstraZeneca selects Regulus' RG-125 as clinical candidate for treatment of NASH

Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, announced today the selection of RG-125 (AZD4076), a GalNAc-conjugated anti-miR targeting microRNA-103/107 (“miR-103/107”) for the treatment of Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (“NASH) in patients with type 2 diabetes/pre-diabetes, as a clinical candidate by AstraZeneca under the companies’ strategic alliance to discover, develop and commercialize microRNA therapeutics.

9 Apr 2015

Researchers identify 22 genetic variations associated with increased risk of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer affects one out of every 6 men during their lifetime and is the second most common cause of cancer-related death for men in the United States, resulting in an estimated 27,500 deaths in 2015. Identifying those men who have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer may reduce mortality.

6 Apr 2015

Scientists identify small RNA molecule that can suppress cancer-causing genes in GBM

Northwestern Medicine scientists have identified a small RNA molecule called miR-182 that can suppress cancer-causing genes in mice with glioblastoma mulitforme (GBM), a deadly and incurable type of brain tumor.

6 Apr 2015

Pseudogenes may play role in cancer development, shows study

Pseudogenes, a sub-class of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that developed from the genome's 20,000 protein-coding genes but lost the ability to produce proteins, have long been considered nothing more than genomic "junk." Yet the retention of these 20,000 mysterious remnants during evolution has suggested that they may in fact possess biological functions and contribute to the development of disease.

3 Apr 2015

Regulus' RG-012 receives orphan medicinal product designation in EU for treatment of Alport syndrome

Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, announced today that the European Commission has granted orphan medicinal product designation for RG-012, a single stranded, chemically modified oligonucleotide that binds to and inhibits the function of microRNA-21 ("miR-21") for the treatment of Alport syndrome, a life-threatening genetic kidney disease with no approved therapy.

25 Mar 2015

New study reveals how cells sort out loops meant to encode microRNAs

Just as two DNA strands naturally arrange themselves into a helix, DNA's molecular cousin RNA can form hairpin-like loops. But unlike DNA, which has a single job, RNA can play many parts -- including acting as a precursor for small molecules that block the activity of genes. These small RNA molecules must be trimmed from long hairpin-loop structures, raising a question: How do cells know which RNA loops need to be processed this way and which don't?

25 Mar 2015

Researchers find key step in understanding genetic mechanism of plants' environmental adaptability

A fundamental question pursued by plant scientists worldwide for the past decade has been answered by researchers led by the University of Sydney in Australia.

23 Mar 2015

BCM-95 Curcumin improves chemotherapy's effectiveness in killing chemoresistant cancer cells

Cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy is a major cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer. In a first-of-its-kind study, BCM-95 Curcumin was found to improve chemotherapy's effectiveness in killing chemoresistant cells via a mechanism not previously identified.

19 Mar 2015

New approach to improve cardiac regeneration

The heart tissue of mammals has limited capacity to regenerate after an injury such as a heart attack, in part due to the inability to reactivate a cardiac muscle cell and proliferation program. Recent studies have indicated a low level of cardiac muscle cell (cardiomyocytes) proliferation in adult mammals, but it is insufficient to repair damaged hearts.

19 Mar 2015

Study describes the dual role of microRNA during hepatitis C infection

In the battle between a cell and a virus, either side may resort to subterfuge. Molecular messages, which control the cellular machinery both sides need, are vulnerable to interception or forgery.

13 Mar 2015

Study supports use of ThyraMIR, ThyGenX Thyroid Oncogene Panel to improve thyroid cancer diagnosis

PDI, Inc. subsidiary, Interpace Diagnostics, announced today new data supporting the use of combination platform testing with ThyraMIR, the first and only microRNA expression classifier, and ThyGenX Thyroid Oncogene Panel, a DNA and RNA mutational analysis, to improve thyroid cancer diagnosis.

11 Mar 2015

BUSM researchers discover genes involved in formation of lung tumors

The lung transcription factor Nkx2-1 is an important gene regulating lung formation and normal respiratory functions after birth. Alterations in the expression of this transcription factor can lead to diseases such as lung interstitial disease, post-natal respiratory distress and lung cancer.

3 Mar 2015

New genetic discovery may lead to effective treatments for Huntington's disease

A new genetic discovery in the field of Huntington's disease (HD) could mean a more effective way in determining severity of this neurological disease when using specific treatments. This study may provide insight for treatments that would be effective in slowing down or postponing the death of neurons for people who carry the HD gene mutation, but who do not yet show symptoms of the disease.

2 Mar 2015

MD Anderson awarded more than $22 million in research grants from CPRIT

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has received more than $22 million in research grants this week from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Approximately half of the funds awarded for Individual Investigator Research Awards went to MD Anderson faculty as well as 40 percent of total IIRA awards that include those for children's and adolescent cancer and early detection and prevention.

21 Feb 2015

Regulus Therapeutics reports net loss of $22.2 million for fourth quarter 2014

Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, including a summary of recent corporate highlights.

19 Feb 2015

MicroRNA News and Research

Further Reading

Luxembourg biologists provide complete image of human 'miRNome' in blood samples

Honokiol extract holds promise as adjunct treatment for bladder and kidney cancers

Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 signaling may open up new therapy options for lung cancer patients

Research explores new, personalized ovarian cancer treatments

Winners of GSA poster awards announced at 56th Annual Drosophila Research Conference

AstraZeneca selects Regulus' RG-125 as clinical candidate for treatment of NASH

Researchers identify 22 genetic variations associated with increased risk of prostate cancer

Scientists identify small RNA molecule that can suppress cancer-causing genes in GBM

Pseudogenes may play role in cancer development, shows study

Regulus' RG-012 receives orphan medicinal product designation in EU for treatment of Alport syndrome

New study reveals how cells sort out loops meant to encode microRNAs

Researchers find key step in understanding genetic mechanism of plants' environmental adaptability

BCM-95 Curcumin improves chemotherapy's effectiveness in killing chemoresistant cancer cells

New approach to improve cardiac regeneration

Study describes the dual role of microRNA during hepatitis C infection

Study supports use of ThyraMIR, ThyGenX Thyroid Oncogene Panel to improve thyroid cancer diagnosis

BUSM researchers discover genes involved in formation of lung tumors

New genetic discovery may lead to effective treatments for Huntington's disease

MD Anderson awarded more than $22 million in research grants from CPRIT

Regulus Therapeutics reports net loss of $22.2 million for fourth quarter 2014

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