Epigenetic and microRNA-mediated regulation in diabetes

The increase in adult type diabetes is becoming a globalepidemicandcallsforswiftactionstobetterunderstandthedisease mechanisms, thus leading to improved targetedtherapies. Emerging knowledge surrounding the roleof microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of post-transcriptional protein expression has dramatically alteredthe view of how target genes are regulated and how theyare involved also in controlling glucose homeostasis. Inaddition to an improved understanding of miRNA func-tions, epigenetic control mechanisms are becoming betterknown. Thus, for example the effect of prenatal nutritionaldeficiencies and hereditary epigenetic changes, includingDNA methylation and histone modifications are emergingas important players in the finely tuned balance of fac-tors ultimately yielding the altered functions under variouspathologic conditions.Inthisarticle,wereviewthecurrentunderstandingofthemajor epigenetic and post-transcriptional regulatory mech-anisms with particular emphasis on podocytes during theirinjury associated with diabetic kidney damage. It is fore-seen that this research line will bring major advances indiagnosticsandunderstandingofpathomechanismsofboth