CryomiRs: Towards the identification of a cold-associated family of microRNAs

Hypometabolism is a strategy favored by many species to survive extreme environmental stresses such as low temperatures, lack of food sources or anoxic conditions. Mammalian hibernation and insect cold hardiness are well-documented examples of natural models utilizing metabolic rate depression when confronted with such conditions. A plethora of metabolic and molecular changes must occur in these species to regulate this process. A recently discovered family of short non-coding nucleic acids, the miRNAs, is rapidly emerging as a potential modulator of cold tolerance in different species. In this review, we present the current knowledge associated with physiological and biochemical adaptations at low temperatures. We further explore the cascade of miRNA biogenesis as well as miRNA target recognition and translational repression. Finally, we introduce miRNAs shown to be differentially regulated in selected species when confronted with low temperatures and discuss the potential transcript targets regulated by these “CryomiRs”.