Study on MiRNA Epigenetic Intervention for Epilepsy

Abstract

MiRNAs are a family of small non-coding RNAs that control levels of multiple proteins by post-transcriptionally decreasing messenger RNA stability and translation. MiRNA is a part of the epigenetic machinery. In addition to post-transcriptional gene silencing by miRNAs, the epigenetic mechanisms also include DNA methylation, histone modifications and their crosstalk. Epigenetic modifications were reported to play an important role in many disease onsets and progressions and can be used to explain several features of epilepsy. However, miRNA not only function as a part of epigenetic machinery, but are also epigenetically modified by DNA methylation and histone modification like any other protein-coding gene. There is a strong connection between epigenetic and MiRNA, and any dysregulation of this complex system can result in various physiological and pathological conditions. Currently, there is an unmet need for antiepileptic drugs that truly prevent the development of epilepsy in high-risk populations. New findings in animal models and human brain tissue suggest that microRNAs play a crucial role in epileptogenesis and the pathophysiology of chronic epilepsy. Objectives: This paper focuses on the epigenetic role of miRNA in the development of epilepsy and potential targets for drug therapy. Methods: In this paper, through the keywords epilepsy, epigenetic, methylation, miRNA, non-coding RNA search in PubMed, SPIS, GeenMedical, Google Scholar and Web of Science, to study the potential application of miRNA epigenetic regulation in the treatment of epilepsy. Results: Future treatments that manipulate miRNA epigenetic processes, such as Anti-oligonucleotides, DNA methylation and Nucleic Acid Aptamers, to treat or prevent epilepsy. Conclusion: Overall, miRNA epigenetic drugs have become a new frontier target to achieve a cure for epilepsy.