Themed collection microRNA and its role in gene regulation: Celebrating the 2024 Physiology or Medicine Nobel Prize

Osteoblastic death can be regulated by miRNAs. We propose a tetrahedral DNA nanostructure-based microRNA delivery system (Tmi) as an example of miRNA drugs application, which provides a new strategy for gene therapy in bone diseases.

High-throughput profiling/sensing of nucleic acids has recently emerged as a highly promising strategy for the early diagnosis and improved prognosis of a broad range of pathologies, most notably cancer. The review highlights some of the most promising strategies for electrochemical sensing of microRNA biomarkers.

A molecular glue-based Lin28 degrader SB1349 showed dose-dependent Lin28A/B degradation, let-7 miRNA upregulation, and oncogene downregulation. SB1349 also promoted differentiation in SH-SY5Y cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential.

Targeted inhibition of oncogenic microRNAs provides a promising anti-cancer approach.

Here, cancer targeting hydrogel assembled by the miRNA-21 antisense strand was used to encapsulate mesoporous silica nanoparticles. This toehold mediated strand displacement targeting method can achieve specific drug release and miRNA-21 silencing.

Bi-functional peptide can bind both silica and miRNA, enabling non-covalent adsorption of miRNA on silica nanoparticles for delivery.

A copper-free and enzyme-free click chemistry-mediated single quantum dot nanosensor enables sensitive detection of microRNAs in cancer cells and tissues.

DNA tetrads as an integrated platform that enables realization of efficient DNA delivery and HCR amplification in situ on nanostructures.

Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in regulating the transgenerational toxicity of pollutants.

The binding of nDNA to target miRNA leads to increased downstream mRNA levels.

The figure depicts how osteo-inductive factors and 3D nanotopographical cues on a fibrous substrate activate a stimuli-specific set of mRNA–miRNA gene regulatory networks apart from a core set of networks to bring into effect stem cell osteogenesis.

A novel reverse transcription-accelerated strand exchange amplification (RT-ASEA) method to detect the early biomarker miR-208a of AMI in 15 minutes was developed with high sensitivity, strong specificity and a wide linear range.

An integrated ion-exchange membrane (IEM) based device for rapid and irreversible dissociation of protein-RNA complex (ribonucleoprotein, RNP) and quantification of its associated RNA.

In mice fed a high-fat diet, soy isoflavone consumption regulated the circulating miRNA profiles, which were significantly associated with adiposity and serum levels of adipokines, including leptin and adiponectin.

Multifunctional carboxymethyl cellulose nanohydrogel carriers for tumor theranostics.

We associate endogenous and exogenous miRNAs to achieve a smart response and a coordinated drug delivery system.

Two novel hexapeptides with anti-hyperuricemia effect were identified from Apostichopus japonicus hydrolysate, and their effects on modulation of gut microbiota and microRNA profiles were investigated.

Cationic Mesoporous silica Nanoparticle coated with hyaluronic acid conjugated polymer (HA-Dual miRNA Np) facilitated enhanced dual miRNA loading, efficient delivery and significantly inhibited tumor growth as well as retarded metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer.

A 3D cell culture system that mimics the lung cancer microenvironment was used to investigate the effect of exosomes encapsulating miR-497 on tumor growth and angiogenesis, and could be a predictive, cost-efficient translational tool to develop targeted cancer therapy.

The recycling of target miRNA and high quenching efficiency of nanogold greatly improved the sensitivity for miRNA detection.

We combine catalytic hairpin assembly and rolling circle amplification for the detection of microRNA in an electrochemical biosensor with a linear range of 0.5–12 500 pmol and a LOD of 290 fmol.

A cell-penetrating poly(disulfide)-based star-like system with high transfection efficacy for synergistic delivery of miRNAs and chemotherapeutic drugs has been reported.