title: MicroRNAs in colorectal cancer: small molecules with big functions.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most lethal malignancy, with pathogenesis intricately dependent upon microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are short, non-protein coding RNAs, targeting the 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTR) of certain mRNAs. They usually serve as tumor suppressors or oncogenes, and participate in tumor phenotype maintenance. Therefore, miRNAs consequently regulate CRC carcinogenesis and other biological functions, including apoptosis, development, angiogenesis, migration, and proliferation. Due to its differential expression and distinct stability, miRNAs are regarded as molecular biomarkers (for diagnosis/prognosis) and therapeutic targets for CRC. Recently, a remarkable number of miRNAs have been discovered with implications via incompletely understood mechanisms in CRC. As further study of relevant miRNAs continues, it is hopeful that novel miRNA-based therapeutic strategies may be available for CRC patients in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xuan
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Huiliang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Linjie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, USA.
authors.forename: Wayne Bond
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Kaiser Santa Clara Medial Center, Affiliate of Stanford University, USA.
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: College of Biological Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Yuehong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. Electronic address: taotaovip2005@163.com.
authors.forename: Shengtao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Yuquan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Colorectal cancer; MicroRNA; Oncogene; Tumor suppressor