The emerging role of small non-coding RNAs in the failing heart: big hopes for small molecules.

摘要

Research into small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has fundamentally transformed our understanding of how gene networks are regulated. The term ncRNA refers to a family of functional RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins. The literature is replete with studies which have shown that ncRNAs are involved in functionally important cellular processes, such as transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The ncRNA family also includes small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), PIWI-associated RNAs (piRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), promoter-associated RNAs (PARs) and telomere specific small RNAs (tel-sRNAs). Although a great deal of information has been generated with respect to the basic biology of ncRNAs, our understanding of the role that ncRNAs play in health and disease is embryonic at present. This statement notwithstanding, ncRNAs have been implicated in heart disease, immune disorders, cancer and neurode-generative diseases. Given that ncRNAs can be targeted through modified antisense oligonucleotides, ncRNAs are emerging as exciting new therapeutic targets.