Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
10:40
CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis
Published on: April 25, 2022
miRNA genetic alterations in human cancers
Antonis Giannakakis1, George Coukos, Artemis Hatzigeorgiou
1University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Center for Research on Early Detection and Cure of Ovarian Cancer, Rm1209 BRB II/III, 421 Curie Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy
|August 31, 2007
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules regulating gene expression. Deregulation of these microRNAs is linked to cancer development, impacting diagnosis and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- miRNAs play crucial roles in cellular homeostasis and complex gene regulatory networks.
- Emerging evidence links miRNA deregulation to tumorigenesis, with some acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of miRNA expression and its deregulation in human cancer pathophysiology.
- To highlight the diagnostic and prognostic potential of miRNA expression signatures in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on miRNA function and cancer.
- Analysis of studies profiling miRNA expression in normal and cancerous tissues.
- Examination of genetic and epigenetic alterations affecting miRNA genes.
Main Results:
- miRNA expression signatures show high reliability in cancer classification, exceeding protein-coding gene signatures.
- miRNAs are implicated as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in various cancers.
- miRNA deregulation contributes to cancer development, progression, and clinical behavior.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs are critical regulators with significant roles in cancer.
- miRNA expression profiling offers powerful diagnostic and prognostic tools for cancer patients.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of miRNA involvement in cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
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...
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
01:20Mismatch Repair
Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires identifying the new strand and replacing the erroneous bases with correct nucleotides. Mismatch repair is coordinated by many proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...
02:21Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
02:21Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...