Abstract
Mammary gland is the organ of milk component synthesis that provides the nutrients for growth and development of the mammalian neonate. In addition to macronutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids known for their roles in providing substrate and energy, a new class of components has been identified notably microRNA that have signaling roles regulating a large set of biological processes. MicroRNAs, short noncoding RNAs, have been reported to act on the mammary tissues, influencing mammary development and milk component biosynthesis, and evidence is now assembling that they also signal to the infant. The expression profile of these miRNAs can be under nutritional regulation. Their presence in milk and their relative persistency through industrial treatment open new way of investigations to use them as biomarkers of animal health, as well as to evaluate their effects on the health of those consuming them. Due to the role of miRNAs on human health and diseases, their transfer from milk or milk products to infants and adults is being actively researched, though their bioavailability is not known. Research is defining their distribution in the different fractions of milk (such as cells, exosomes, fat globule, or skim milk). Indeed, the unique packaging of miRNAs could be crucial for their action through the intestinal tract. The value of milk miRNAs to diverse aspects of human health is now an emerging field of science.
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Abbreviations
- 3′UTR:
-
Three prime untranslated region
- ACACA:
-
Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1
- ACSL1:
-
Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1
- CSN1S1:
-
Casein alpha S1
- CSN2:
-
Casein beta
- DNA:
-
Deoxyribonucleic acid
- ESR1:
-
Estrogen receptor 1
- FASN:
-
Fatty acid synthase
- GLUT1:
-
Glucose transporter 1
- GMEC:
-
Goat mammary epithelial cells
- HER2:
-
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
- MEC:
-
Mammary epithelial cells
- MG:
-
Mammary gland
- miRNA:
-
Microribonucleic acid
- NGS:
-
Next-generation sequencing
- PPARG:
-
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
- RISC:
-
RNA-induced silencing complex
- SCD1:
-
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase
- SREBP1:
-
Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1
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Leroux, C. et al. (2017). Nutritional Regulation of Mammary miRNome: Implications for Human Studies. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V. (eds) Handbook of Nutrition, Diet, and Epigenetics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31143-2_88-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31143-2_88-1
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