MicroRNA Regulatory Networks in Cardiovascular Development

• Published in: Developmental cell Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 510 - 525
• Main Authors: Liu, Ning, Olson, Eric N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, MA Elsevier Inc 20.04.2010; Cell Press
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Body Patterning; Cardiovascular System - embryology; Cell differentiation, maturation, development, hematopoiesis; Cell Lineage; Cell physiology; Cell Proliferation; Developmental Biology - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart - embryology; Heart Diseases - pathology; Humans; MicroRNAs - metabolism; Models, Biological; Molecular and cellular biology; Muscle, Smooth - metabolism; Myosins - metabolism; Neovascularization, Pathologic; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Zebrafish; Development; Gene silencing; RNA interference; Micro RNA
• ISSN: 1534-5807; 1878-1551
• DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2010.03.010

The heart, more than any other organ, requires precise functionality on a second-to-second basis throughout the lifespan of the organism. Even subtle perturbations in cardiac structure or function have catastrophic consequences, resulting in lethal forms of congenital and adult heart disease. Such intolerance of the heart to variability necessitates especially robust regulatory mechanisms to govern cardiac gene expression. Recent studies have revealed central roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) as governors of gene expression during cardiovascular development and disease. The integration of miRNAs into the genetic circuitry of the heart provides a rich and robust array of regulatory interactions to control cardiac gene expression. miRNA regulatory networks also offer opportunities for therapeutically modulating cardiac function through the manipulation of pathogenic and protective miRNAs. We discuss the roles of miRNAs as regulators of cardiac form and function, unresolved questions in the field, and issues for the future.