Table 1 MicroRNAs expressed during human fetal pancreatic development.

miR-7

Expressed in pancreatic adult and fetal endocrine cells [18, 19, 30]

miR-375

Negative regulator of glucose-induced insulin secretion through myothrophin regulation [15]. miR-375 K/O mice are hyperglycemic -more alpha cells; less beta-cells- [17]. Regulation of PI3 pathway by regulation of PDK1 in insulinoma cells [31]. The miR-375 gene promoter directs expression selectively to endocrine pancreas [32].

miR-9

Expressed at high levels during islet development [19]. Target of transcription factor Onecut-2 impairing glucose-induced insulin secretion in insulinoma cells.

miR-195; miR-16 miR-15a; miR-15b

Role in pancreatic regeneration, possibly by targeting Ngn3 [22].

miR-124a

Regulation of insulin secretion machinery and transcription factor Foxa2 in insulinoma cells [21, 33].

miR-218

Expressed in mouse early fetal pancreas, controls the liver and pancreatic development regulator Onecut-2 in liver embryonic cells [34].

miR-484; miR-107; miR-30d

High glucose down-regulates their expression in insulinoma cells [35].

miR-146a

Increased expression in islets from db/db obese mice, contributes to fatty acids-induced beta-cell dysfunction [36]. Pro-inflammatory cytokines induce its expression in human islet and MIN6 cells [37].

miR-29a

Over-expression induced insulin resistance in 3T3 adipocytes [38].

miR-503

miR-503 is expressed in a pattern similar to that of miR-375 in a mouse progenitor cells at e14.5 pancreas [13].

miR-376a

Expressed at high levels during islet development [19].

miR-21; miR-34a

Pro-inflammatory cytokines induce its expression in human islet and MIN6 cells [37]. miR-34a also contributes to fatty acids-induced beta-cell dysfunction [36].

miR-96

Increases mRNA and protein levels of granulophilin, a negative regulator of insulin exocytosis [33].