Role of Micrornas in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a clinically prevalent neurodegenerative disorder mainly affecting the elderly, characterized by loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra. Its main clinical manifestations are motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural gait disturbances. Given the complexity and multisystem effects of PD, the exact cause is yet to be elucidated. But multiple mechanisms have been shown to be associated with the pathophysiology of PD, such as the accumulation of α-synuclein, oxidative stress, abnormal apoptosis, and neuroinflammation. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a non-coding single-stranded RNA molecule encoded by endogenous genes. Over the past decade, many studies have reported that miRNA functions in a series of important processes in life process. Moreover, numerous experiments in animal models and clinical investigations have identified miRNA dysregulation in PD and demonstrated that miRNAs play an important role in the development of PD through different pathways. This paper reviews some important miRNAs involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease.