MicroRNA and cerebral ischemia.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of highly conserved single-stranded RNA molecules that modulate gene translation. By targeting the mRNA of protein- coding genes, miRNAs play a critical role in neuronal differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism. There are a lot of miRNAs in central nervous system, which are not only closely linked to development, differentiation and function of nerve cells, also play an important role in nerve lesions and dysfunction after cerebral ischemia. Specific miRNA through their own changes affect their target gene expression levels after focal cerebral ischemia, involving in the protection against apoptosis in neurons and regeneration after cerebral ischemia. A full understanding of the specific microRNA function and its underlying mechanism in the brain can provide a new strategy for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ischemic cerebral injury at gene level.