Abstract:MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are a class of single-stranded, small non-coding RNAs with 21 to 23 nucleotides, which can promote the degradation of mRNA or suppress their translation to regulate the expression of target gene through their incomplete combination with non-coding region at 3'terminal of target mRNAs. miRNAs are widely involved in the physiological and pathological processes in vivo and affect the cell development, the processes of diseases by changing their expression levels. In recent years, more researchers have found that miRNAs are identified widely and specifically in eyes including the lens, retina and cornea and their abnormal expressions may be associated with some eye diseases. This review summarizes the current information about expressions and functions of miRNAs in the lens, in order to seek for new targets for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the lens opacity.
