Biogenesis and Regulation of Cardiovascular MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and fundamentally impact on cardiovascular function in health and disease. A tight control of miRNA expression is crucial for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. However, a comprehensive understanding of the various levels of miRNA regulation is in its infancy. We here summarize the current knowledge about regulation of cardiovascular miRNAs at the transcriptional level by transcription factors, during processing by the Drosha and Dicer complexes and the importance of miRNA modification, editing, and decay mechanisms. As an example, miRNA regulation in diabetic and hypoxic cardiovascular disease conditions is discussed. Better knowledge about regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in cardiovascular disease will probably lead to improved and novel miRNA-based therapeutic therapies. (Circ Res. 2011; 109: 334-347.)