MicroRNAs: a new insight into cancer genome.
Cancer is a disease involving multi-step dynamic changes in the genome. However, studies on cancer genome so far have focused most heavily on protein-coding genes, and our knowledge on alterations of the functional noncoding sequences in cancer is largely absent. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are approximately 22 nt noncoding RNAs, which regulate gene expression in a sequence-specific manner via translational inhibition or mRNA degradation. Mounting evidence is showing that miRNAs may play important roles in tumor development, and a better understanding of their alteration in cancer genome and oncogenic property should contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Zhang
Lin
L
Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. linzhang@mail.med.upenn.edu
Coukos
George
G
D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation
D035683:MicroRNAs