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.
Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
John
J
Le Quesne
Carlos
C
Caldas
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