MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a recently discovered family of endogenous, noncoding RNA molecules approximately 22 nt in length. miRNAs modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to complementary sequences in the coding or 3' untranslated region of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). It is now clear that the biogenesis and function of miRNAs are related to the molecular mechanisms of various clinical diseases, and that they can potentially regulate every aspect of cellular activity, including differentiation and development, metabolism, proliferation, apoptotic cell death, viral infection and tumorgenesis. Here, we review recent advances in miRNA research, and discuss the diverse roles of miRNAs in disease.

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The small regulatory non-coding RNA molecules, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been recognized as potential regulator of gene expression and modulate the gene function at the post-transcriptional level. It is now clear that miRNA biogenesis and function are related to the molecular mechanisms of various clinical diseases, which can potentially regulate every aspect of cellular activity, including differentiation and development, metabolism, proliferation, apoptotic cell death viral infection and tumorgenesis. Here, we review recent work and provide insight into the diverse roles of miRNAs.