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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #296336
Title: Plant-based microRNA presences in mice and human sera to breast milk

Author
item ALEJO, RITA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item YANG, JIAN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item HIRSCHI, KENDAL - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2012
Publication Date: 1/10/2013
Citation: Alejo, R., Yang, J., Hirschi, K.D. 2013. Plant-based microRNA presences in mice and human sera to breast milk [abstract]. Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, 2013 Genetics Retreat, January 10-11, 2013, Galveston, Texas. 19:10.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant foods contain hundreds of thousands of different small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs). A microRNA (miRNA) is a tiny (19-24 nucleotide) piece of RNA that attaches to a specific protein-making mRNA, thus inhibiting protein production. A recent finding shows that a miRNA in rice survives digestion, circulates through the body and modulates gene expression. Given that six nucleotides of perfect complementary between the seed region of a small RNA and its target is sufficient to promote RNA silencing in mammals, how many of the tens of thousands of plant miRNAs regulate gene expression in animals? Answering this question may alter our understanding of nutrition, tans-kindgom gene regulation and open up new vistas for gene therapy. Our studies are specifically focused on replicating and then extending these observations from rice. Initially, we are conducing proof of principle experiments in mice, testing if we can find plant-based miRNAs in mouse sera and liver samples. We have also done several human feeding trails looking for plant-based miRNAs via RT-PCR. I am particularly interested in determining if plant-based miRNAs are present in breast milk, and how the levels of plant-based miRNAs compare to breast milk taken from obese, lean, and teenage mothers.