Role of miRNAs in Alzheimer's Disease and Possible Fields of Application

Abstract

miRNAs (or microRNAs) are a class of single-stranded RNA molecules, responsible for post-transcriptional gene silencing through binding to the coding region as well as 3’ and 5’ untranslated region of target genes. About 70% of experimentally detectable miRNAs are expressed in the brain and some studies suggest that miRNAs are intimately involved in synaptic function and in specific signals during memory formation. More and more evidence demonstrates the possible involvement of miRNAs in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is the most common form of senile dementia, a disease that affects memory and cognitive functions. It is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of synapses, extracellular amyloid plaques composed of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), and intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated TAU protein. This review aims to provide an overview of the in vivo studies of the last 5 years in the literature describing the role of the different miRNAs involved in AD. miRNAs hold huge potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and, at the same time, their modulation could be a potential therapeutic strategy against AD.