微小核糖核酸(MicroRNA,miRNA)是一类短链非编码RNA,主要通过控制信使RNA的翻译起到转录后水平的调节作用。癫癎是一种严重的、慢性的神经系统疾病,大多在儿童期发病。大脑在病理的情况下会表达独特的miRNA,并与癫癎的发生有关。miRNA拓展了研究者对于癫癎发生机制的认识,使其成为新的治疗靶点和有效的抗癫癎新药。该文介绍了与癫癎发生密切相关的几种miRNA在癫癎发生、发展中的作用。
MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are short, noncoding RNAs that function as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression by controlling the translation of messenger RNAs. Epilepsy is a chronic and debilitating brain disorder and occurs frequently in childhood. The brain expresses several unique miRNAs which are associated with epileptogenesis. As a new layer of gene expression in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, miRNAs have shed a new light on the potential to transform an understanding of the underlying mechanisms promising novel therapeutic targets and effective antiepileptogenic medications. This article reviews the roles and mechanisms of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of seizuredamage and pathophysiology of epileptogenesis.