Biological functions of microRNAs

Abstract

The small regulatory non-coding RNA molecules, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been recognized as potential regulator of gene expression and modulate the gene function at the post-transcriptional level. It is now clear that miRNA biogenesis and function are related to the molecular mechanisms of various clinical diseases, which can potentially regulate every aspect of cellular activity, including differentiation and development, metabolism, proliferation, apoptotic cell death viral infection and tumorgenesis. Here, we review recent work and provide insight into the diverse roles of miRNAs.