Trends Biochem Sci, 2021, 46(8):640-651

Extracellular miRNAs and Cell–Cell Communication: Problems and Prospects

miRNAs are short RNA molecules regulating multiple cellular processes through post-transcriptional gene silencing. Over the past decade, miRNAs have been found in the extracellular space and have been consistently shown to mediate functional communication between cells. While it remains widely accepted that miRNA transfer between cells occurs via extracellular vesicles (EVs), multiple other carriers of cell-free miRNA have been described. In addition, some studies have demonstrated that both miRNAs and their binding partners, Argonaute proteins, remain hardly detectable in common isolates of EVs. In this Opinion article, we summarize the state-of-the-art mechanisms of miRNA sorting and secretion, discuss methodological challenges associated with extracellular miRNA research, and suggest experimental steps to resolve current inconsistencies in the field of miRNA-mediated cell-cell communication.

Makarova J, Turchinovich A, Shkurnikov M, Tonevitsky A

IBCH: 9112
Ссылка на статью в журнале: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0968000421000219
Кол-во цитирований на 09.2026: 118
Данные статьи проверены модераторами 2021-02-26