title: MicroRNAs and their relevance to ABC transporters.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, which regulate the expression of their target genes post-transcriptionally by RNA interference. They are involved in almost all cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, cell survival and the maintenance of tissue specificity. Recent findings also suggest that efflux pumps of the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter family are subject to miRNA-mediated gene regulation. Moreover, it seems that ABC transporters are embedded in a concerted and miRNA-guided network of concurrently regulated proteins that mediate altered drug transport and cell survival in changing environmental conditions. In this review, we summarize recent findings of miRNAs interacting with ABC transporters, which have been connected with drug distribution as well as with drug resistance. Additionally, we specify findings of complex miRNA-protein pathways conferring increased drug export and cell survival.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Sierk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haenisch
authors.forename: Anneke Nina
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Werk
authors.forename: Ingolf
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cascorbi
mesh_terms: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000235:genetics; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D010597:Pharmacogenetics
chemical_list: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: ABC transporter; drug resistance; epigenetics; gene regulation; microRNA