Therapeutic applications of zebrafish (Danio rerio) miRNAs linked with human diseases: A prospective review

Gene. 2018 Dec 30:679:202-211. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.09.008. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the class of small, non-coding RNAs that are produced from precursor transcripts by subsequent processing steps mediated by members of the RNaseIII family, Dicer and Drosha protein within cell. The importance of zebrafish miRNAs in regulation of normal cellular development and support to various kinds of metabolism process. Although the zebrafish model provides a fundamental platform for the study of developmental biology but recent work with zebrafish model has expanded its appliance to a broad range of experimental studies relevant to different kind of human diseases. Presently, the zebrafish model is used for the study of cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder in eyes, psoriasis, spinal cord injury, cancer and diabetes that showing in some selected miRNAs are regulate these diseases in molecular levels. Here, a superior drive performed to depict the fundamental utilization of the zebrafish miRNAs that targeted to several clinical diseases connected to human. This review aims to provide a summary of understanding of the cellular mechanism which is responsible for selected diseases and suggests some therapeutic application for inhibition of miRNA functions.

Keywords: Disease model; Human; MicroRNAs; Therapeutics; Zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / therapeutic use*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Zebrafish / genetics*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs