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Biomolecules
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Complexities in microRNA Function: Nuclear Roles, Sequence Variants and Non-canonical...
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Complexities in microRNA Function: Nuclear Roles, Sequence Variants and Non-canonical Gene Targeting

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2021) | Viewed by 11429

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Cameron Bracken

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
Interests: microRNAs; noncoding RNA; gene expression; cell signalling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

MicroRNAs have well established functions within the cytoplasm, acting as the recognition component of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to suppress gene expression through a combination of RNA target destabilisation and translational inhibition. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting additional complexities in microRNA function. For example, there are abundant mature microRNAs and RISC components within nuclei, though their roles and significance are less well understood. High-throughput sequencing-based studies have also revealed abundant naturally occurring microRNA sequence variants (isomiRs) and a diverse array of possible target binding “rules” through which microRNAs can interact with potential targets. This Special Edition highlights some of these “non-canonical” functions and complexities of microRNAs, beyond the traditional view of single microRNA sequences interacting with target mRNAs through well-defined “seed-based” interactions within the cytoplasm.

Dr. Cameron Bracken
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • microRNA
  • isomiR
  • RISC
  • noncanonical microRNA targeting
  • nuclear microRNAs

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

15 pages, 291 KiB  
Review
The Role of Immune-Related miRNAs in the Pathology of Kidney Transplantation
by Emanuela Boštjančič, Željka Večerić-Haler and Nika Kojc
Biomolecules 2021, 11(8), 1198; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11081198 - 12 Aug 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2313
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of the non-coding regulatory RNA family that play pivotal roles in physiological and pathological conditions, including immune response. They are particularly interesting as promising therapeutic targets, prognostic and diagnostic markers due to their easy detection in body fluids and [...] Read more.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of the non-coding regulatory RNA family that play pivotal roles in physiological and pathological conditions, including immune response. They are particularly interesting as promising therapeutic targets, prognostic and diagnostic markers due to their easy detection in body fluids and stability. There is accumulating evidence that different miRNAs provide disease-specific signatures in liquid samples of distinct kidney injuries. Using experimental models and human samples, there have been numerous suggestions that immune-related miRNAs are also important contributors to the development of different kidney diseases as well as important markers for monitoring response after kidney transplantation. However, there are limited data for understanding their function in the molecular pathways of allograft pathologies. In our review, we focused on microRNAs that are related to different aspects of immune response after kidney transplantation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complexities in microRNA Function: Nuclear Roles, Sequence Variants and Non-canonical Gene Targeting)
32 pages, 1698 KiB  
Review
MicroRNAs and Stem-like Properties: The Complex Regulation Underlying Stemness Maintenance and Cancer Development
by Giuseppina Divisato, Silvia Piscitelli, Mariantonietta Elia, Emanuela Cascone and Silvia Parisi
Biomolecules 2021, 11(8), 1074; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11081074 - 21 Jul 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3710
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the extraordinary properties to indefinitely proliferate and self-renew in culture to produce different cell progeny through differentiation. This latter process recapitulates embryonic development and requires rounds of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is characterized by the loss of [...] Read more.
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the extraordinary properties to indefinitely proliferate and self-renew in culture to produce different cell progeny through differentiation. This latter process recapitulates embryonic development and requires rounds of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is characterized by the loss of the epithelial features and the acquisition of the typical phenotype of the mesenchymal cells. In pathological conditions, EMT can confer stemness or stem-like phenotypes, playing a role in the tumorigenic process. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation, found in the tumor tissues, with stem-like properties such as uncontrolled proliferation, self-renewal, and ability to differentiate into different cell types. ESCs and CSCs share numerous features (pluripotency, self-renewal, expression of stemness genes, and acquisition of epithelial–mesenchymal features), and most of them are under the control of microRNAs (miRNAs). These small molecules have relevant roles during both embryogenesis and cancer development. The aim of this review was to recapitulate molecular mechanisms shared by ESCs and CSCs, with a special focus on the recently identified classes of microRNAs (noncanonical miRNAs, mirtrons, isomiRs, and competitive endogenous miRNAs) and their complex functions during embryogenesis and cancer development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complexities in microRNA Function: Nuclear Roles, Sequence Variants and Non-canonical Gene Targeting)
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17 pages, 2690 KiB  
Review
TFEB Signalling-Related MicroRNAs and Autophagy
by Davide Corà, Federico Bussolino and Gabriella Doronzo
Biomolecules 2021, 11(7), 985; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11070985 - 4 Jul 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4638
Abstract
The oncogenic Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), a member of MITF-TFE family, is known to be the most important regulator of the transcription of genes responsible for the control of lysosomal biogenesis and functions, autophagy, and vesicles flux. TFEB activation occurs in response to [...] Read more.
The oncogenic Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), a member of MITF-TFE family, is known to be the most important regulator of the transcription of genes responsible for the control of lysosomal biogenesis and functions, autophagy, and vesicles flux. TFEB activation occurs in response to stress factors such as nutrient and growth factor deficiency, hypoxia, lysosomal stress, and mitochondrial damage. To reach the final functional status, TFEB is regulated in multimodal ways, including transcriptional rate, post-transcriptional regulation, and post-translational modifications. Post-transcriptional regulation is in part mediated by miRNAs. miRNAs have been linked to many cellular processes involved both in physiology and pathology, such as cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. miRNAs also play a significant role in autophagy, which exerts a crucial role in cell behaviour during stress or survival responses. In particular, several miRNAs directly recognise TFEB transcript or indirectly regulate its function by targeting accessory molecules or enzymes involved in its post-translational modifications. Moreover, the transcriptional programs triggered by TFEB may be influenced by the miRNA-mediated regulation of TFEB targets. Finally, recent important studies indicate that the transcription of many miRNAs is regulated by TFEB itself. In this review, we describe the interplay between miRNAs with TFEB and focus on how these types of crosstalk affect TFEB activation and cellular functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complexities in microRNA Function: Nuclear Roles, Sequence Variants and Non-canonical Gene Targeting)
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