MiRNA expression in the eye.

MiRNAs are a newly discovered class of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by translational repression and mRNA degradation. It has become evident that miRNAs are involved in many important biological processes, including tissue differentiation and development. The role of miRNAs in the eye is beginning to be explored following their recent detection by miRNA expression analyses. Many of the target genes for these ocular miRNAs remain undefined. This review summarizes the current information about ocular miRNA expression. Future research should focus on the function of ocular miRNAs in eye development.