Non-coding RNAs in exercise

Regular exercise is a well-established intervention for chronic diseases. A variety of adaptive responses in multiple organ systems are involved in the biology of exercise. The beneficial effects of physical activity are well-documented, yet the molecular and cellular mechanisms for the adaptive response to physical activities remain incompletely described. Recent findings suggest a putative role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), in the progression and management of the physical training related changes. A number of miRNAs has been identified as modulators of exercise induced adaption in skeletal muscle or heart. miR-1, miR-126, the miR-99/100 family, miR-181, miR-1 and miR-107 were increased while miR-23, miR-696 and miR-494 were decreased in skeletal muscle after exercise. miR-222, miR-27a, miR-27b, miR-29a, miR-21, miR-144, miR-145, miR-208a, miR-30e and miR-19b were upregulated while miR-143, miR-1, miR-133a, miR-133b, miR-124, miR-99b, miR-100, miR-191a, miR-22 and miR-181a were downregulated in heart after exercise. miR-126 was increased while miR-16 and miR-21 were decreased in vessels after exercise. In addition to tissue-specific miRNAs, an altered array of miRNAs in circulation has been described during exercise. Contrast to miRNAs, little is known about long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in exercise. Identification the role of ncRNAs in exercise will improve our understanding of exercise physiology and has the potential to enhance the application of current therapeutic approaches.