MicroRNA-33a/b in Lipid Metabolism - Novel "Thrifty" Models

作者：Ono Koh^*; Horie Takahiro; Nishino Tomohiro; Baba Osamu; Kuwabara Yasuhide; Yokode Masayuki; Kita Toru; Kimura Takeshi

来源：Circulation Journal, 2015, 79(2): 278-284.

DOI：10.1253/circj.CJ-14-1252

• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol
• Lipid homeostasis
• MicroRNA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs; miRs) are small non-protein-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression. They bind to the 3' UTR of specific mRNAs and either inhibit translation or promote mRNA degradation. There is emerging evidence linking miR-33a/b to lipid homoeostasis, targeting ABCA1, SREBF1, etc and it would appear that they have acted as "thrifty genes" during evolution to maintain cholesterol levels both at the cellular and whole body level. As we are now living in a period of "satiation", miR-33a/b no longer seem to be useful and could be potential therapeutic targets for lipid disorders and/or atherosclerosis. In this review, we describe the current understanding of the function of miR-33a/b in lipid homeostasis, focusing on the "thrifty" aspect.

• 出版日期2015-2