title: MicroRNAs as regulators of mitochondrial function: role in cancer suppression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mitochondria, essential to the cell homeostasis maintenance, are central to the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and their dysfunction is associated with multiple diseases. Recent research documents that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate important signalling pathways in mitochondria, and many of these miRNAs are deregulated in various diseases including cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, we summarise the role of miRNAs in the regulation of the mitochondrial bioenergetics/function, and discuss the role of miRNAs modulating the various metabolic pathways resulting in tumour suppression and their possible therapeutic applications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MiRNAs have recently emerged as key regulators of metabolism and can affect mitochondria by modulating mitochondrial proteins coded by nuclear genes. They were also found in mitochondria. Reprogramming of the energy metabolism has been postulated as a major feature of cancer. Modulation of miRNAs levels may provide a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of mitochondria-related pathologies, including neoplastic diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The elucidation of the role of miRNAs in the regulation of mitochondrial activity/bioenergetics will deepen our understanding of the molecular aspects of various aspects of cell biology associated with the genesis and progression of neoplastic diseases. Eventually, this knowledge may promote the development of innovative pharmacological interventions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Frontiers of Mitochondrial Research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy. Electronic address: m.tomasetti@univpm.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomasetti
authors.affiliation: Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Science and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia; Molecular Therapy Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 4 142 20, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neuzil
authors.affiliation: Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Science and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia. Electronic address: l.dong@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Lanfeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000235:genetics; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Cancer; MicroRNA; Mitochondrion; Reprogramming of metabolism; TCA cycle