EpisomiR, a New Family of miRNAs, and Its Possible Roles in Human Diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are synthesized through a canonical pathway and play a role in human diseases, such as cancers and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, psychiatric, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The development of sequencing technologies has enabled the identification of variations in noncoding miRNAs. These miRNA variants, called isomiRs, are generated through a non-canonical pathway, by several enzymes that alter the length and sequence of miRNAs. The isomiR family is, now, expanding further to include episomiRs, which are miRNAs with different modifications. Since recent findings have shown that isomiRs reflect the cell-specific biological function of miRNAs, knowledge about episomiRs and isomiRs can, possibly, contribute to the optimization of diagnosis and therapeutic technology for precision medicine.

Automated summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) synthesized through a canonical pathway play important roles in human diseases. IsomiRs, variations in noncoding miRNAs, are generated through a non-canonical pathway. EpisomiRs, miRNAs with different modifications, are expanding the isomiR family. IsomiRs reflect cell-specific biological function and studying episomiRs and isomiRs can contribute to optimizing diagnosis and therapeutic technology for precision medicine.