Noncoding RNAs as biomarkers of Brugada syndrome: a review

Most causes of sudden cardiac death are associated with cardiac rhythm disturbances, which often develop in the setting of Brugada syndrome. This condition is linked to mutations in approximately 20 genes; however, such genetic abnormalities cannot be identified in all patients. At present, increasing attention is being paid to noncoding ribonucleic acids (RNAs), which are involved in transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and epigenetic regulation. These include microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs that regulate the expression of genes encoding ion channel components and also participate in the maturation and differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The principal noncoding RNAs identified in Brugada syndrome are microRNAs. They contribute to disease pathogenesis through interactions with ion channels and may serve as biomarkers for timely diagnosis and prevention of life-threatening arrhythmias and fatal events. Thus, the search for optimal biomarkers and clarification of their diagnostic role in Brugada syndrome may provide a basis for early detection and pathogenetically justified therapeutic strategies. This review presents a current overview of the potential use of microRNAs in the early diagnosis of Brugada syndrome.