MicroRNAs as gatekeepers of apoptosis.
Apoptosis is a well-orchestrated cellular mechanism that balances the effects of cell proliferation and cell death. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to control cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis; and can be significantly deregulated in many cancers types. In fact, the ability to evade apoptosis is a hallmark of tumorigenesis. Although the role of miRNAs in the regulation of apoptosis is not fully understood, the recent influx of data strongly suggests that miRNAs play a significant role in regulating programmed cell death, or apoptosis. The genes involved in apoptotic pathways can be broadly classified as pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic. Many of these apoptotic genes, irrespective of their positive or negative functional role in apoptosis, are regulated by miRNAs. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of miRNA-mediated gene networks in the control of apoptosis.
Subramanian
Subbaya
S
Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. subree@umn.edu
Steer
Clifford J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs