MicroRNAs: The novel mediators for nutrient-modulating biological functions
Yonghui Yu, Jingjie Zhang, Jing Wang, Baoguo Sun
Abstract
Food has three main properties: nutritional, sensory, and health-related functions. Nutrients, which provide components of the body and energy to maintain basic life activity, are very important. At present and in the future, the sensory function of food, especially its effects on health, will be given increasing attention. Moreover, miRNAs, small noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules first identified in 1993, play essential roles in post-transcriptional regulation. This review summarizes the regulation of the biological function of nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. We further elucidated the effects of nutrients on modulating the physiological function of the body via altering miRNA profiles. Increasing evidence has revealed that dietary nutritional regulation plays an important role in embryonic development, postnatal growth and development, and senescence. Deficiency or excess of certain nutrients is closely correlated with disease occurrence and development. Current studies have indicated that nutrient treatments exert variable biological effects by modulating miRNA expression. In summary, nutrient-regulated miRNAs might be novel mediators of nutrient-modulating biological functions and play irreplaceable roles in regulating physiological functions, suggesting a new approach for revealing the molecular mechanism of nutritional regulation.