Skeletal Muscle microRNAs: Roles in Differentiation, Disease and Exercise

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a noncoding RNA species that play important roles in the regulation of gene expression. Since miRNAs are able to target multiple genes simultaneously, miRNAs provide a mechanism for efficiently modulating a whole pathway to change or alter the functional properties in a particular target tissue. Ablation of miRNA processing specifically in skeletal muscle results in muscle abnormalities and perinatal death, underscoring that miRNAs control essential processes in skeletal muscle development and function. In this chapter we summarise current knowledge on miRNAs involved in skeletal muscle differentiation, disease and exercise.