The genomic analysis of erythrocyte microRNA expression in sickle cell diseases

ABSTRACT: Background Since mature erythrocytes are terminally differentiated cells without nuclei and organelles, it is commonly thought that they do not contain nucleic acids. In this study, we have re-examined this issue by analyzing the transcriptome of a purified population of human mature erythrocytes from individuals with normal hemoglobin (HbAA) and homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS). Methods and Findings Using a combination of microarray analysis, real-time RT-PCR and Northern blots, we found that mature erythrocytes, while lacking ribosomal and large-sized RNAs, contain abundant and diverse microRNAs. MicroRNA expression of erythrocytes was different from that of reticulocytes and leukocytes, and contributed the majority of the microRNA expression in whole blood. When we used microRNA

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Jen-Tsan Chi 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-11060 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress