High intensity exercise induced regulation of the microRNA biogenesis pathway

Mitochondria are essential organelles that drive energy production and play a central role in maintaining metabolic health and function. To meet the energy demands of tissues and adapt to physiological stress, cells rely on mitochondrial biogenesis – the process of creating new components of the mitochondrial reticulum. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNA) – small noncoding RNA molecules that fine-tune gene expression by silencing mRNAs through translational repression and/or transcript destabilization – dynamically respond to exercise and regulate the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing miRNA expression itself remain poorly understood, particularly in the context of aerobic exercise. This thesis aimed to address this knowledge gap by characterizing the acute and chronic effects of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on components of the miRNA biogenesis pathway. Our findings revealed a nuanced regulatory response of the miRNA biogenesis pathway, with acute HIIE eliciting changes in mRNA expression and chronic HIIE showing no significant alterations at the protein level.

Department dc:contributor.department

Kinesiology and Health Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Wu, Zeyu

Advisor dc:contributor.supervisor

• Gurd, Brendon

• Molecular science
• Exercise Physiology
• Exercise
• miRNA
• Training
• HIIT

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1974/34247

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:queensu.scholaris.ca:1974/34247