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Nature 447, 389-390 (24 May 2007) | doi:10.1038/447389a; Published online 23 May 2007

Molecular medicine: MicroRNAs and the tell-tale heart

Kenneth R. Chien1

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MicroRNAs are natural, single-stranded, small RNA molecules thought to control gene expression. Four studies indicate that specific microRNA sequences can regulate heart function in development and disease.

Understanding how complex physiological processes are coordinately controlled at the molecular level in vivo is one of the cornerstones of research in modern translational (bench-to-bedside) medicine. Using the heart as a model physiological system, four research teams1, 2, 3, 4 now establish a role for microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in the regulation of in vivo cardiac function: specifically, the conductance of electrical signals, heart muscle contraction, and heart growth and morphogenesis.

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