title: Strategies to use microRNAs as therapeutic targets.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs generated from endogenous hairpin-shaped transcripts that powerfully regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional level. Each miRNA is capable to regulate the expression levels of hundreds of transcripts and each mRNA may have more than one miRNA recognition sequence. There is emerging evidence that deregulation of miRNA expression leads to the alteration of pivotal physiological functions contributing to the development of diseases and neoplasms, including pituitary adenoma. This review is aimed at providing the up-to-date knowledge concerning deregulated miRNAs of pituitary tumors and their functions. In order to take stock, pituitary tumors have been sub-divided in different classes on the basis of tumor features (histotype, dimension, aggressiveness). The overview takes full consideration of the recent advances in miRNAs role as potential therapeutics and biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Dept. of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gentilin
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Dept. of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Degli Uberti
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Dept. of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy. Electronic address: ztlmch@unife.it.
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zatelli
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: miRNA; miRNA biomarkers; miRNA-based therapy; pituitary