Biopolymers and cell. 2007; 23 (6): 467 - 482

MicroRNA: from fundamental research to their application

T. V. Shirina, M. T. Bobrovskaya, E. A. Kozlov

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-protein-encoding RNAs of 20–30 nucleotides long. In eukaryotic cells miRs play the role of bioregulators of gene expression through the mechanisms of translation repression/modulation. Here we both familiarize the readers with miRs biogenesis, functioning mechanisms, and strategy of their discovery and present the list of biological processes, regulated by miRs. We also list the publications, dedicated to miRs role in human pathologies (carcinogenesis in particular) and their application for marking, prevention, diagnostics, and therapy of cancer.

Key words: microRNA, biogenesis, expression profile, bioinformatic, microRNA-prediction, bioregulation, carcinogenesis, therapy.