Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
6.3. Bioinformatics predicts additional miRNAs involved
in immune response
A bioinformatic based screen predicted seven additional miRNAs to be
involved in the immune system (
Fullaondo & Lee, 2012
), although verifi-
cation of their involvement is lacking due to the absence of genetic mutants.
The implicated miRNAs include
miR-12
,
miR-31b
,
miR-33
,
miR-283
,
miR-304
,
miR-1003
, and
miR-1016
. These miRNAs were identified
because they are predicted to target immunity-related mRNAs, and are
expressed in immune related cells or organs. Although this screen initially
identified
mir-8
due to its potential targeting of GNBP3 (Gram Negative
Binding Protein 3), Pvf1 and Pvf2, it was ultimately excluded from the
“immune miRNA” list is due to the absence of information regarding its
expression pattern.
7. SUMMARY
Much progress has been made in the recent past to illuminate the func-
tions of miRNAs within systemic signaling pathways, such as insulin, steroid
hormone, stress, immune, and circadian pathways. During both develop-
ment and adulthood, these miRNA components function to coordinate cell
growth, metabolism, fate, and morphology with changing environmental
conditions. In so doing, these miRNAs ensure that the animal undergoes
appropriate developmental and post-developmental transitions in response
to environmental cues, and is consistent with the possibility that adult phys-
iology and metabolism involve the redeployment of pathways that con-
trolled cell fate progression during development. Future work in flies and
other animals will determine how faithful this redeployment is, and whether
the same miRNA/mRNA regulatory relationships persist from develop-
ment through adulthood.
REFERENCES
Abe, M., & Bonini, N. M. (2013). MicroRNAs and neurodegeneration: Role and impact.
Aw, S., & Cohen, S. M. (2012). Time is of the essence: MicroRNAs and age-associated neu-
