MicroRNA in Ovarian Biology and Disease
- 1Department Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- 2Epigenetics Program, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
- Correspondence: lchristenson{at}kumc.edu
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are posttranscriptional gene regulatory molecules that show regulated expression within ovarian tissue. Most research investigating miRNAs in the ovary has relied exclusively on in vitro analyses. In this review, we highlight those few studies in which investigators have illustrated an in vivo effect of miRNAs on ovarian function. We also provide a synopsis of how these small noncoding RNAs can impact ovarian disease. miRNAs have great potential as novel diagnostic biomarkers for the detection of ovarian disease and in the assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for selection of healthy viable oocytes and embryos.
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