Micro-RNAs and breast cancer.
Micro-RNAs (miRs) are a recently described class of genes, encoding small non-coding RNA molecules, which primarily act by down-regulating the translation of target mRNAs. miRs are involved in a range of normal physiological processes, notably differentiation and cell type determination. It has become apparent that they are also key factors in cancer, playing both oncogenic and tumour-suppressing roles. We discuss here what is known of miR biology in the normal breast, and of their emerging roles in breast cancer.
Le Quesne
John
J
Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
Caldas
Carlos
C
D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D035683:MicroRNAs; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen