Rola microRNA w różnicowaniu mięśni szkieletowych

Myogenesis is a complicated multi-step process which begins in utero. The development of skeletal muscles is regulated by many factors and signalling pathways that can additionally be controlled by microRNAs. MicroRNAs are a class of small, non-coding, endogenous RNA with a length of 21–25 nucleotides. MicroRNAs play an important role in the mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by binding to the complementary mRNA causing its degradation, or inhibition of the protein translation process. Some miRNAs are only expressed in the skeletal muscles, playing a particularly important role  in the differentiation of muscle cells. The group of the muscle-specific miRNA (myomiRs) includes :  miR-1, miR-27b, miR-133, miR-195, miR-199, miR-206, miR-499. Elevated concentrations of muscular specific microRNA are typical for the late stage of muscle development, and their level is directly proportional to the ability of myoblasts to differentiate into myotubes. The dysregulation of myomiRs level can lead to the development of some pathologies, e.g. rhabdomyosarcoma, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.