MicroRNAs and their applications in kidney diseases.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that employ classic Watson-Crick base-pairing to identify their target genes, ultimately resulting in destabilization of their target mRNAs and/or inhibition of their translation. The role of miRNAs in a wide range of human diseases, including those afflicting the kidney, has been intensely investigated. However, there is still a vast dearth of knowledge regarding their specific mode of action and therapeutic effects in various kidney diseases. This review discusses the latest efforts to further our understanding of the basic biology of miRNAs, their impact on various kidney diseases and their potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic agents. We initially provide an overview of miRNA biology and the canonical pathway implicated in their biogenesis. We then discuss commonly employed experimental strategies for miRNA research and highlight some of the newly described state-of-the-art technologies to identify miRNAs and their target genes. Finally, we carefully examine the emerging role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases.