Recent Developments Research Articles

Recent Progress for the Synthesis of Pyrrole Derivatives – An Update

Abstract: Pyrrole is a versatile heterocyclic moiety exhibiting a wide range of pharmacological actions with high therapeutic value. The importance of pyrrole in the pharmaceutical field lies in its versatility, selectivity, and biocompatibility, and these properties make it a valuable tool for drug design and development. The pyrrole moiety is a fundamental building block for many biologically active molecules and has gathered significant attention in the fields of medicinal and organic chemistry; hence, its synthesis has been a crucial area for research. There are various conventional as well as modern approaches to acquiring a series of pyrrole scaffolds, with a wide range of attractive features and drawbacks pertaining to each approach. An extensive amount of literature must be studied to compare the best synthetic routes. This article highlights the applications of pyrrole derivatives in various fields, such as drug discovery, material science, and catalysis, and provides an overview of modern synthetic pathways that include metals, nanomaterials, and complex heterogeneous catalysed methods for pyrrole derivatives. Special emphasis is given to the use of green chemistry principles like green solvent-based methods, microwave-aided methods, and solvent-free methods in the synthesis of pyrroles, with the recent developments and prospects in the synthetic and organic chemistry fields. Overall, this review article provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis of pyrroles and complies with all the possible developments in the synthetic routes for pyrroles within 2015– 2022. Among all, the reactions catalysed by proline, copper oxides, and oxones have been shown to be the most effective synthetic route for pyrrole derivatives at mild reaction conditions and with excellent yields. This information will be helpful for researchers interested in the development of new pyrrole-based compounds. The categorization in this review provides an easy means for the reader to rationally select the best possible synthetic method for pyrrole derivatives.

A Systematic Review on the Potential Applications of Theranostic Nanoparticles in Diabetes and its Associated Complication Diabetic Neuropathy

Background: Diabetes neuropathy is a frequent ailment that has a substantial impact on patients by increasing the risk of falls and causing discomfort. The lower extremities are where diabetic neuropathy patients first feel pain. This discomfort could seem like a pinprick, an electric shock, or something else. Objective: Here, we give a comprehensive overview of this quickly developing theranostic appli-cation that includes all relevant imaging, diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring elements for the management of diabetes and diabetes neuropathy. Methods: The data for the current study was gathered by searching PubMed and Google Scholar. Several research and review publications from various publishers, including Springer Nature, Bentham Science, PLOS one, MDPI, and ACS Publishing Centre, were evaluated to compile the data. Result: Recent developments in theranostics have shown promise as alternate management ap-proaches for diabetes and ailments linked to diabetes. Numerous nanotechnology-built biosen-sors, including multiwalled carbon nanotubes, copper nanowires, zinc oxide tetrapods, and nano-particle-embedded contact lenses, offer benefits in monitoring diabetic neuropathy. Conclusion: The potency, usability, and dependability of insulin substitutes have been demon-strated by a variety of innovative methods for the management of diabetes, which includes nano-technology approaches using Gene-Based Nanoparticles (siRNA), Liposomes, Exo-somes/Extracellular Vesicles, Neuromodulation, and Inhalable Nanoparticles. Over the past few years, the development of various theranostic nanoparticles for Diabetic neuropathy has experi-enced an unprecedented expansion. Even though much work needs to be done to precisely evalu-ate the genuine benefits provided by these particles, such as issues with nanotoxicity, theranostic nanoparticles will have a significant impact on the field of nanomedicine.

Recent Advancements in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Multitarget-directed Ligand Approach.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and one of the leading causes of progressive dementia, affecting 50 million people worldwide. Many pathogenic processes, including amyloid β aggregation, tau hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress, neuronal death, and deterioration of the function of cholinergic neurons, are associated with its progression. The one-compound-one-target treatment paradigm was unsuccessful in treating AD due to the multifaceted nature of Alzheimer's disease. The recent development of multitarget-directed ligand research has been explored to target the complementary pathways associated with the disease. We aimed to find the key role and progress of MTDLs in treating AD; thus, we searched for the past ten years of literature on "Pub- Med", "ScienceDirect", "ACS" and "Bentham Science" using the keywords neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and multitarget-directed ligands. The literature was further filtered based on the quality of work and relevance to AD. Thus, this review highlights the current advancement and advantages of multitarget-directed ligands over traditional single-targeted drugs and recent progress in their development to treat AD.

Recent Developments in Coumarin Derivatives as Neuroprotective Agents.

Neurodegenerative diseases are among the diseases that cause the foremost burden on the health system of the world. The diseases are multifaceted and difficult to treat because of their complex pathophysiology, which includes protein aggregation, neurotransmitter breakdown, metal dysregulation, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, etc. None of the currently available therapies has been found to be significant in producing desired responses without any major side effects; besides, they only give symptomatic relief otherwise indicated off-episode relief. Targeting various pathways, namely choline esterase, monoamine oxidase B, cannabinoid system, metal chelation, β-secretase, oxidative stress, etc., may lead to neurodegeneration. By substituting various functional moieties over the coumarin nucleus, researchers are trying to produce safer and more effective neuroprotective agents. This study aimed to review the current literature to produce compounds with lower side effects using coumarin as a pharmacophore. In this review, we have attempted to compile various synthetic strategies that have been used to produce coumarin and various substitutional strategies used to produce neuroprotective agents from the coumarin pharmacophore. Moreover, structure-activity relationships of substituting coumarin scaffold at various positions, which could be instrumental in designing new compounds, were also discussed. The literature review suggested that coumarins and their derivatives can act as neuroprotective agents following various mechanisms. Various studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective activity of coumarin due to an oxaheterocyclic loop, which allows binding with a broad array of proteins, thus motivating researchers to explore its potential as a lead against various neurodegenerative diseases.

Here to stay? The rapid evolution of the temporary staffing market in Iceland

In recent years there has been a significant shortage of workers in Iceland. The traditional method of arranging temporary work, through direct contracts between employees and employers, has not sufficed. Moreover, there is a skills mismatch that compounds the shortage of workers as the sectors that have grown most rapidly in recent years mainly employ unskilled labor. This study examined the historical background of temporary work in Iceland, recent developments and in particular the growing importance of temporary staffing agencies, as well as the economic rationale for temporary staffing agencies, and the segmented labor market in Iceland. The study employs expert opinion approach, together with content and statistical analysis. Experts placed strongest emphasis on temporary workforce dependency on economic conditions, closely followed by sector triggered temporary workforce fluctuation. Socio-legal infrastructure for temporary workforce had the third strongest emphasis with other themes being less emphasized. These dramatic changes to the Icelandic labor market have undoubtedly had a significant impact on Icelandic society but there is surprisingly little research available into this. The efforts of unions and the Federation of Employees have helped to push through legislation on temporary staffing agencies and the rights of foreign workers, however, as long as there is economic rationale for their operation and a legal and regulatory framework that accommodates them the agencies can be expected to continue bringing temporary staff to Iceland. The impact on the labor market and society thus seems likely to be permanent.

Recent Developments and Challenges in the Application of Fungal Laccase for the Biodegradation of Textile Dye Pollutants

Abstract: According to the European Environment Agency, the textile industry is responsible for 20% of global water pollution due to dyeing and finishing products, thus facing severe environmental challenges. It is essential to design more biocompatible and sustainable treatment processes capable of removing dyes from industrial wastewater to fight this environmental hazard. Chemical industries must change traditional chemical-based concepts to more environmentally friendly and greener processes to remove pollutants, including dyes. Enzymatic bioremediation is a smart tool and a promising alternative for environmental pollutant degradation. The use of enzymes in dye decolourization makes the process a green and clean alternative to conventional chemical treatments. Moreover, enzymemediated biocatalysis decreases the formation of toxic by-products compared to chemical reactions. The most used enzyme for the decolourization of dyes is laccase. Laccase is a multicopper oxidase found in diverse organisms such as fungi. It promotes the oxidation of phenolic compounds and has a wide range of substrate specificity, making it a promising enzyme for removing different dyes used by the textile industry, including recalcitrant aromatic dyes. The present article gives a comprehensive revision of textile dye decolourization, its types, recent developments in laccase-mediated dye bioremediation technologies, the mechanism of biocatalysis, and their limitations and challenges. Emphasis on the chemical pathways of laccase reaction mechanisms for dye bioremediation processes is also provided. In addition, a brief overview of textile industries and the respective traditional treatment processes for textile wastewater is presented.

Hetero-associative Memory Based New Iraqi License Plate Recognition

نتيجة للتطورات الأخيرة في أبحاث الطرق السريعة بالإضافة إلى زيادة استخدام المركبات، كان هناك اهتمام كبير بنظام النقل الذكي الأكثر حداثة وفعالية ودقة (ITS) في مجال رؤية الكمبيوتر أو معالجة الصور الرقمية، يلعب تحديد كائنات معينة في صورة دورًا مهمًا في إنشاء صورة شاملة. هناك تحدٍ مرتبط بالتعرف على لوحة ترخيص السيارة (VLPR) بسبب الاختلاف في وجهة النظر، والتنسيقات المتعددة، وظروف الإضاءة غير الموحدة في وقت الحصول على الصورة والشكل واللون، بالإضافة إلى الصعوبات مثل ضعف دقة الصورة ، الصورة الباهتة ، الإضاءة السيئة، التباين المنخفض، يجب التغلب عليها. اقترحت هذه الورقة نموذجًا باستخدام تعديل الذاكرة الترابطية ثنائية الاتجاه (MBAM)، وهي نوع واحد من الذاكرة الترابطية غير المتجانسة، وتعمل MBAM على مرحلتين)مرحلتي التعلم والتقارب) للتعرف على اللوحة، ويمكن لهذا النموذج المقترح التغلب على تلك الصعوبات بسبب قدرة الذاكرة الترابطية لـ MBAM على قبول الضوضاء وتمييز الصور المشوهة، وكذلك سرعة عملية الحساب نظرًا لصغر حجم الشبكة. نتيجة دقة تحديد منطقة اللوحة هي 99.6٪، ودقة تجزئة الأحرف 98٪، والدقة المحققة للتعرف على الأحرف هي100 ٪ في ظروف مختلفة.

A New-fangled COVID-19 Variant, Eris, Might be the One to Lookout in 2023 or far from Over.

Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease brought on by the extremely pathogenic and contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome-virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The agenda for the COVID-19 pandemic is dynamic and includes recent developments. Seven variants under monitoring (VUMs), one variant of interest (VOI), XBB.1.5, and their offspring lineages are currently being actively monitored by WHO. The VUMs are BA.2.75, CH.1.1, BQ.1, XBB (with the exception of XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, and XBB.1.9.1), XBF, and XBB.1.16. With 95 countries having reported finding XBB.1.5 (VOI), it is still the most common strain worldwide, responsible for 47.9% of cases from epidemiological January to March 2023. Seventy nations discovered XBB.1.5 in February and March 2023 and posted sequencing data to GISAID. Of the 43 nations that uploaded more than 50 sequences, XBB.1.5 prevalence has increased to more than 50% in 11 nations. Over 23000 deaths and 3 million new cases were recorded globally in March and April 2023. Worldwide detection of a new COVID-19 strain has prompted specialists to issue a warning that the virus is "circulating unchecked". The Greek goddess of conflict and discord Eris has inspired the nicknaming of EG 5.1, a subvariant of Omicron. The strain is becoming more prevalent in the USA and cases are increasing in the UK. The severity of each SARS-CoV- 2 variant has been comparable, although a more severe form might develop. Eris is an ancestor of Omicron and exhibits some of its characteristics. Reinfection risk can be influenced by a variety of variables, including age, location, and health equity and the COVID-19 vaccine is more or less effective depending on the strain.

Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery in Neurodegenerative Diseases

: Drug delivery to the brain is a challenging task as many drugs do not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). As a result, designing strategies to target drugs to the brain requires significant effort. However, recent research has focused on the administration of drugs through the nose to the brain, a noninvasive way to bypass the BBB and deliver therapeutic molecules directly to the brain. Nose-to-brain drug delivery is a promising approach that allows for the direct transportation of therapeutic molecules to the brain while increasing drug concentration in the brain. This approach has gained considerable attention due to its non-invasive nature, which makes it feasible, reliable, and efficient. One promising approach for nose-to-brain drug delivery is the use of nanoparticles as a platform for drug and gene delivery. Nanoparticles offer several advantages, including the ability to protect therapeutic drugs from degradation and increase the efficacy of drug delivery due to their unique size, shape, and surface features. Nanoparticles can also be engineered to target specific cells or tissues, enabling more precise drug delivery to the brain. The use of nanoparticles for nose-to-brain drug delivery has been extensively studied, and recent developments have shown promising results. In addition, patents relating to medication targeting via the nasal route have been developed. These patents cover various aspects of drug delivery, including the use of different types of nanoparticles, methods for producing nanoparticles, and methods for delivering nanoparticles to the brain.

Mainstream and Marginal Theologies in Australian Pentecostalism

Abstract Pentecostalism has always struggled to define itself theologically from the beginning. Starting out as a marginal stream within Christianity, early Pentecostals were reluctant to compose statements of faith and were susceptible to a range of new doctrines, a problem that continues to this day. In this article, the author surveys the theological development of Pentecostalism in Australia, giving special attention to a specific Australian-born movement, Christian Revival Crusade, because of its distinctive doctrines of British-Israelism and deliverance of believers from evil spirits. The author concludes with some observations of recent doctrinal developments in Australian Pentecostalism before positing some causes for such changes and drawing some lessons for Pentecostalism as a whole.

Artificial Intelligence in The Management of Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by a gradual but irreversible loss of neurological function. The ability to detect and treat these conditions successfully is crucial for ensuring the best possible quality of life for people who suffer from them. The development of effective new methods for managing and treating neurodegenerative illnesses has been made possible by recent developments in computer technology. In this overview, we take a look at the prospects for applying computational approaches, such as drug design, AI, ML, and DL, to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. To review the current state of the field, this article discusses the potential of computational methods for early disease detection, quantifying disease progression, and understanding the underlying biological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the challenges associated with these approaches and potential future directions. Moreover, it delves into the creation of computational models for the individualization of care for neurodegenerative diseases. The article concludes with suggestions for future studies and clinical applications, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of using computational techniques in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors Targeting Stress Markers.

When the body experiences a change in its internal environment due to factors such as mood (euphoria, stress) and illness, it releases biomarkers in large quantities. These biomarkers are used for detecting a disease at its early stages. This involves the detection of insufficient quantities of biocomponents, which can be done by using nanomaterials, conventional materials, and biotechnology; thus, scientists can increase the sensitivity of electrochemical sensors. According to studies conducted in this area, electrochemical sensors have shown promise as a diagnostic tool due to their ability to identify and pinpoint illness biomarkers. The present review article was compiled to gather the latest information on electrochemical biosensors targeting stress markers. The authors searched scholarly databases like ScienceDirect, Pubmed, Medline, and Scopus for information on electrochemical biosensors targeting stress markers. In this article, we looked at the recent developments in electrochemical sensors for stress monitoring. Because of advances in nanomaterial and biomolecule processes, electrochemical biosensors have been developed with the sensitivity to detect several biomarkers in real-time in therapeutically relevant materials. This biomarker sensor strategy can analyze various biofluids (sweat, plasma, urine, and saliva).

Advances in Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Background: Cerebral palsy is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with various etiological factors and treatment options. This narrative review aimed to summarize the causes of cerebral palsy, identify areas needing additional research in treatment approaches, and highlight areas requiring further investigation. In order to provide a thorough overview of management techniques to lessen the effects of the illness and its consequences, this review has drawn data from a number of studies. Introduction: Prematurity increases the risk of brain damage during the developing stage and accounts for a sizable fraction of cerebral palsy cases. In a sizable portion of cases, maternal diabetes and hypertension are listed as the main causes. Damage to the brain tissue results from hypoxic-ischemic injuries sustained during pregnancy that upset the equilibrium of oxidants and antioxidants. To alter the oxidative stress pathway and ease related issues, pharmacological treatments, such as therapeutic hypothermia, free radical inhibition therapy, and mitochondrial therapy, have been proposed. Therapeutic strategies, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and surgical interventions, have added quality to the lives of the children. Some of the most recent developments in this area include the development of biomarkers for muscle activity detection, machine learning to predict the types of cerebral palsy and abnormal movements, disease prediction with eye images, wireless inertia measuring unit for spasticity detection, computerbased video analysis of typical and atypical infants, identification of intellectual disabilities with algorithms, and deep learning methods for predicting cerebral palsy. Methods: This narrative review is based on a careful analysis of numerous researches conducted on cerebral palsy, which have served as the basis for statistical distribution. It reviews the causes of cerebral palsy, available treatments, and ongoing research with the goal of providing physicians and researchers in the field with useful information. The objectives, study questions, inclusion criteria, and search approach have all been outlined in a thorough protocol. To find pertinent research published up to September 2021, a literature search was carried out using electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. A combination of pertinent keywords, such as "cerebral palsy," "management," "technology," "wearable technology," "prematurity," and "artificial intelligence," has been used in the search approach. Results: Recent advances in the field include the discovery of biomarkers for the detection of muscle activity, machine learning algorithms to predict the types of cerebral palsy and abnormal movements, disease prediction using eye images, wireless inertia measuring units for the detection of spasticity, computer-based video analysis for the detection of atypical infants, and algorithms to identify intellectual disabilities. Additionally, employing technologies, like virtual reality systems, electrical stimulators, activity trackers, machine learning, and deep learning approaches, has shown promise in evaluating, diagnosing, and predicting treatment outcomes linked to gait, upper limb, and lower limb function. Conclusion: Future research should examine the clinical application of nanomedicine, stem cell therapy, and cutting-edge therapeutic strategies to prevent hypoxic-ischemic damage in the developing brain. Additionally, research is required to effectively assist children with severe speech difficulties using alternate communication modalities and cutting-edge computational tools. The outcomes for people with cerebral palsy can be improved by combining interdisciplinary efforts with cutting-edge technological interventions.

The Patent Landscape of mTOR and PTEN Targets.

PTEN and mTOR signaling have many roles, including antiinflammatory, immunosuppressant and cancer. US patents were retrieved to show the current landscape of the mTOR and PTEN targets. PTEN and mTOR targets were analyzed by patent analysis. The U.S. granted patents from January 2003 to July 2022 were performed and analyzed. The results showed that the mTOR target was more attractive in drug discovery than the PTEN target. Our findings indicated that most large global pharmaceutical companies focused the drug discovery related to the mTOR target. The present study demonstrated that mTOR and PTEN targets showed more applications in biological approaches compared to BRAF and KRAS targets. The chemical structures of the inhibitors of the mTOR target demonstrated some similar features to those of the inhibitors of KRAS targets. At this stage, the PTEN target may not be an ideal target subjected to new drug discovery. The present study was the first one which demonstrated that the group of O=S=O may play a critical role in the chemical structures of mTOR inhibitors. It was the first time to show that a PTEN target may be suitably subjected to new therapeutic discovery efforts related to biological applications. Our findings provide a recent insight into therapeutic development for mTOR and PTEN targets.

Interventional Oncology: 2024 Update.

Interventional Oncology (IO) stands at the forefront of transformative cancer care, leveraging advanced imaging technologies and innovative interventions. This narrative review explores recent developments within IO, highlighting its potential impact facilitated by artificial intelligence (AI), personalized medicine and imaging innovations. The integration of AI in IO holds promise for accelerating tumour detection and characterization, guiding treatment strategies and refining predictive models. Imaging modalities, including functional MRI, PET and cone beam CT are reshaping imaging and precision. Navigation, fusion imaging, augmented reality and robotics have the potential to revolutionize procedural guidance and offer unparalleled accuracy. New developments are observed in embolization and ablative therapies. The pivotal role of genomics in treatment planning, targeted therapies and biomarkers for treatment response prediction underscore the personalization of IO. Quality of life assessment, minimizing side effects and long-term survivorship care emphasize patient-centred outcomes after IO treatment. The evolving landscape of IO training programs, simulation technologies and workforce competence ensures the field's adaptability. Despite barriers to adoption, synergy between interventional radiologists' proficiency and technological advancements hold promise in cancer care.

Emerging Wearable Ultrasound Technology.

This perspective article provides a brief overview on materials, fabrications, beamforming, and applications for wearable ultrasound devices, a rapidly growing field with versatile implications. Recent developments in miniaturization and soft electronics have significantly advanced wearable ultrasound devices. Such devices offer distinctive advantages over traditional ultrasound probes, including prolonged usability and operator independence, and have demonstrated their effectiveness in continuous monitoring, noninvasive therapies, and advanced human-machine interfaces. Wearable ultrasound devices can be classified into three main categories: rigid, flexible, and stretchable, each having distinctive properties and fabrication strategies. Key unique strategies in device design, packaging, and beamforming for each type of wearable ultrasound devices are reviewed. Furthermore, we highlight the latest applications enabled by wearable ultrasound technology in various areas. This article concludes by discussing the outstanding challenges within the field and outlines potential pathways for future advancements.

Recent Developments in Combinatorial Immunotherapy towards Ovarian Cancer

Abstract: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in women in the world. It is also the 5th top cause of cancer-related death in the world. Despite chemotherapy being the primary treatment along with surgery, patients frequently suffer from a recurrence of ovarian cancer within a few years of the original treatment. The recurring nature of OC, therefore, necessitates the development of novel therapeutic interventions that can effectively tackle this disease. Immunotherapy has lately been found to offer significant clinical advantages. Some of the immunotherapy techniques being studied for ovarian cancer include adoptive T-cell treatment, immune checkpoint inhibition, and oncolytic virus. However, the most efficient way to increase longevity is through a combination of immunotherapy strategies with other disease therapeutic approaches such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and PARPi in additive or synergistic ways. To provide a more comprehensive insight into the current immunotherapies explored, this paper explores newly developed therapeutics for the disease with an emphasis on current outstanding immunotherapy. The current state of our understanding of how the disease interacts with host cells, current therapy options available, various advanced treatments present and the potential for combinatorial immuno-based therapies in the future have also been explored.

Recent Development and Advancement in Quantum Dots in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Fields for the Delivery of Drugs

Abstract: Nanoscale semiconductors known as quantum dots (QDs) are essential for drug testing because they bridge the gap between nanotechnology and the testing of drugs. QDs are a valuable tool in theranostics and treatment because of their unique physicochemical features. Due to their photoluminescence and electronic properties, including broad and continuous absorption spectra, narrow emission spectra from visible to near-infrared wavelengths, and long-lasting and high brightness, they are suitable probe materials for use in (bio)sensing (immunological) platforms. Several studies use QDs due to their optical, magnetic, electrical, photochemical, and biological features that allow them to be employed in various scientific domains. When utilized in drug delivery systems, fluorescent markers, such as QDs, can track the metabolism of drugs in the human body. Many medicinal applications, such as disease diagnosis and medication research, can benefit from these fluorescent tests. In this review article, the application of QD in drug delivery and immunoassay sensing has been described in detail.

New Ureas and Amides - An Account of Recent Trends and Developments in Low Molecular Weight Gelators

Abstract: The last 20 years have witnessed major advancements in the field of supramolecular chemistry and have brought us closer to the designing of low molecular weight gelators with desired properties and applications. In that regard, amide- and ureabased gelators comprise a unique class as they are extremely versatile in terms of molecular design and offer a wide range of applications, like anion responsive materials, selective sensing of heavy metal ions, environmental remediation and many more. Both sets of compounds have similar molecular scaffolds, making them an excellent tool to determine the relative importance of the supramolecular interactions involved in the gelation process. Besides, the concept of crystal engineering can also be employed to understand the underlying mechanism of gelation by scrutinizing the interactions and supramolecular assemblies formed by these systems. In this article, we focus on various supramolecular assemblies formed by various amide and urea derivatives and their recently reported applications to establish structure-property correlation and their futuristic aspects.

Non-Canonical Targets of MicroRNAs: Role in Transcriptional Regulation, Disease Pathogenesis and Potential for Therapeutic Targets.

MicroRNAs are a class of regulatory, non-coding small ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules found in eukaryotes. Dysregulated expression of microRNAs can lead to downregulation or upregulation of their target gene. In general, microRNAs bind with the Argonaute protein and its interacting partners to form a silencing complex. This silencing complex binds with fully or partial complementary sequences in the 3'-UTR of their cognate target mRNAs and leads to degradation of the transcripts or translational inhibition, respectively. However, recent developments point towards the ability of these microRNAs to bind to the promoters, enhancers or coding sequences, leading to upregulation of their target genes. This review briefly summarizes the various non-canonical binding sites of microRNAs and their regulatory roles in various diseased conditions.