Differential stability of cell-free circulating microRNAs: implications for their utilization as biomarkers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

MicroRNAs circulating in the blood, stabilized by complexation with proteins and/or additionally by encapsulation in lipid vesicles, are currently being evaluated as biomarkers. The consequences of their differential association with lipids/vesicles for their stability and use as biomarkers are largely unexplored and are subject of the present study.

Methods

The levels of a set of selected microRNAs were determined by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR after extraction from sera or vesicle- and non-vesicle fractions prepared from sera. The stability of these microRNAs after incubation with RNase A or RNase inhibitor, an inhibitor of RNase A family enzymes was studied.

Results

The levels of microRNA-1 and microRNA-122, but not those of microRNA-16, micro

SUBMITTER: Koberle V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3779196 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature