Detection, Profiling, and Quantification of miRNA Expression

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous noncoding regulatory mRNAs of ∼22 nucleotides, have rapidly emerged as the central players in gene expression regulation. Owing to their ever-increasing implications in the control of various biological and pathological processes, miRNAs have now been considered novel biomarkers of various human diseases including, cancer, viral diseases, cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disturbances, etc. Particular expression profiles have been associated with particular pathological states. Expression profiling of miRNAs have therefore become extremely important not only for fundamentalists but also for clinicians. Over the past years, researchers have made great efforts to develop techniques suitable for miRNA detection and quantification; a wide spectrum of creative and innovative techniques (more than 30 different methods) have been invented and validated. While the aim of this book is to introduce these miRNA expression detection methods, this chapter serves to pave the way for better understanding of these techniques. The chapter begins with the basics of miRNAs in terms of the fundamental aspects of miRNA biology: the biogenesis and actions of miRNAs. Next, miRNA transcriptome related to human physiology and pathology is described. The concept of miRNAs as potential biomarkers of human disease is then introduced. And finally, a brief introduction to miRNA expression detection technologies is given to link to the following chapters.