Rice MicroRNA Regulates Expression of Mammalian Genes
September 30, 2011| |
Previous studies have shown that stable microRNAs (miRNAs), the molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression, can serve as biomarkers for diseases and function as signaling molecules in intercellular communication.
In an article published in Nature's Cell Research journal, Chinese scientists at Nanjing University led by Lin Zhang reports plant miRNAs circulating in human blood. One of the most common plant miRNAs found was MIRI168a which is abundant in rice, the staple food of the Chinese subjects. They conducted functional studies in mice and observed decreased levels of a receptor that filters out low density lipoprotein ("bad cholesterol") in the liver when MIRI168a is present in the cells. Same results were also found in vitro. These findings indicate that plant miRNAs in food can regulate the expression of target genes in mammals.
Read the complete research article at http://www.nature.com/cr/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/cr2011158a.html.
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