MicroRNAs in cancer.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that typically inhibit the translation and stability of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), controlling genes involved in cellular processes such as inflammation, cell-cycle regulation, stress response, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. Thus, miRNAs have been implicated in the regulation of virtually all signaling circuits within a cell, and their dysregulation has been shown to play an essential role in the development and progression of cancer. Here, after a brief description of miRNA genomics, biogenesis, and function, we discuss the effects of miRNA dysregulation in the cellular pathways that lead to the progressive conversion of normal cells into cancer cells and the potential to develop new molecular miRNA-targeted therapies.
Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; email: michela.garofalo@osumc.edu , carlo.croce@osumc.edu.
Gianpiero
G
Di Leva
Michela
M
Garofalo
Carlo M
CM
Croce
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger