MiRNAs controlling developmental angiogenesis and vascular maturation in zebrafish

MicroRNAs (e.g. miRNAs), endogenously expressed small non- coding RNAs, control gene expression by regulating target messenger RNA at post-transcriptional level. Recent studies have identified a specific role for microRNAs as key regulators of vascular and smooth muscle function and. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) system is a useful model system to study endothelial cell homeostasis during normal and pathological conditions. We describe how the zebrafish model is becoming a useful tool to study the role of microRNAs and their target genes in endothelial and smooth muscle cells during development. Bymanipulating specific miRNAs in zebrafish we demonstrated their functions during cardiovascular development.