title: MicroRNA control of signal transduction.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are integral elements in the post-transcriptional control of gene expression. After the identification of hundreds of miRNAs, the challenge is now to understand their specific biological function. Signalling pathways are ideal candidates for miRNA-mediated regulation owing to the sharp dose-sensitive nature of their effects. Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs affect the responsiveness of cells to signalling molecules such as transforming growth factor-beta, WNT, Notch and epidermal growth factor. As such, miRNAs serve as nodes of signalling networks that ensure homeostasis and regulate cancer, metastasis, fibrosis and stem cell biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Padua, viale Colombo 3, 35100 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inui
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martello
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piccolo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs