MicroRNAs and Calcium Signaling in Heart Disease

Abstract

In hearts, calcium (Ca2+) signaling is a crucial regulatory mechanism of muscle contraction and electrical signals that determine heart rhythm and control cell growth. Ca2+ signals must be tightly controlled for a healthy heart, and the impairment of Ca2+ handling proteins is a key hallmark of heart disease. The discovery of microRNA (miRNAs) as a new class of gene regulators has greatly expanded our understanding of the controlling module of cardiac Ca2+ cycling. Furthermore, many studies have explored the involvement of miRNAs in heart diseases. In this review, we aim to summarize cardiac Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+-related miRNAs in pathological conditions, including cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of Ca2+-related miRNAs as a new target for the treatment of heart diseases.