MicroRNAs: Novel Regulators of the Heart.

MicroRNAs are approximately 22 nucleotides in length, and they play central roles in the regulation of gene expression. MicroRNAs participate in many essential biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and stress. Emerging evidence has indicated that microRNAs are novel regulators involved in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology, including the regulation of cardiac physiological function and participation in the genesis of cardiac diseases. Although several challenges remain, microRNAs might have a promising diagnostic and therapeutic potential in cardiac diseases.