Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
11:29
miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
Chromosomal rearrangements and microRNAs: a new cancer link with clinical implications
George A Calin1, Carlo M Croce
1Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|August 3, 2007
Abstract:
There is widespread aberrant expression of mature and/or precursor microRNAs in cancer cells, as microRNAs are deregulated consequent to chromosomal alterations and other genomic abnormalities. The identification of such abnormalities has a clear diagnostic and prognostic significance, and there are ever increasing examples of links between certain human cancers and modifications at microRNA loci.
Insights
MicroRNAs show abnormal expression in cancer due to genomic changes. Identifying these microRNA abnormalities is crucial for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
- Aberrant miRNA expression is a hallmark of many cancers.
- Genomic alterations, including chromosomal abnormalities, frequently lead to miRNA deregulation in cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of aberrant microRNA expression in cancer.
- To emphasize the diagnostic and prognostic value of identifying genomic abnormalities affecting microRNAs.
- To discuss the growing evidence linking specific human cancers to modifications at microRNA loci.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microRNA deregulation in cancer.
- Analysis of genomic data related to microRNA loci in various cancer types.
- Correlation of microRNA expression patterns with genomic abnormalities and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Widespread aberrant expression of mature and precursor microRNAs is observed in cancer cells.
- MicroRNA deregulation is directly linked to chromosomal alterations and other genomic abnormalities.
- Specific modifications at microRNA loci are increasingly associated with distinct human cancers.
Conclusions:
- Aberrant microRNA expression is a significant feature of cancer, driven by genomic instability.
- The identification of genomic abnormalities impacting microRNAs holds substantial diagnostic and prognostic importance.
- Further research into microRNA locus modifications will likely uncover new cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Somatic cells are...