Micro RNAs AS BIOMARKERS FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION - SMALL MOLECULES WITH A HUGE POTENTIAL

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a conserved class of small, 17-25 nucleotides long, noncoding RNAs. They act as controllers of gene expression patterns, either by blocking translation or inducing miRNA degradation by sequence-specific hybridization. Several miRNAs have been proposed as potential disease-specific biomarker in cardiovascular diseases. The diagnostic value of assessing circulating miRNAs levels has been evaluated in numerous studies, mainly regarding acute myocardial infarction. Initial promising results from preclinical studies suggest the potential for future miRNA-based therapies. In our review, we focus on the current developments showing the role of miRNAs in the acute myocardial infarction, emphasizing diagnostic utility of miRNAs as promising new biomarkers of AMI and their therapeutic potential.

Keywords

• microRNA
• myocardial infarction
• coronary artery disease
• myocardium
• gene expression regulation.