Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

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...

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

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...

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

lncRNA - 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)...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced 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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Allergic but not autoimmune comorbidities in children with PFAPA: A nationwide matched case-control cohort study.

Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology·2026

Same author

IgE-Mediated Food Allergy in Patients with Celiac Disease.

Digestive diseases (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Long-term rheumatologic comorbidities in familial Mediterranean fever.

Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism·2026

Same author

Fibromyalgia and Risk of Alzheimer's DiseaseRelated Dementia: A Nationwide Bidirectional Case-Control Study.

Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Baseline vitamin D status is associated with glycemic and weight loss outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with semaglutide.

Frontiers in nutrition·2026

Same author

Health Outcomes Associated with Asymptomatic <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Seropositivity in Young Adults: A Nationwide Matched Cohort Study.

Microorganisms·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

Published on: September 8, 2015

Increased microRNA activity in human cancers.

Ariel Israel¹, Roded Sharan, Eytan Ruppin

¹Goldyne Savad Gene Therapy Institute, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.

|June 27, 2009

Summary

This study introduces a new computational method to measure microRNA (miRNA) activity by analyzing gene expression. The research found globally increased miRNA activity in thyroid and breast cancers, linked to tumor suppressor gene downregulation.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

Published on: September 8, 2015

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genomics
Cancer Research

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, influencing biological processes like development and differentiation.
Aberrant miRNA expression is frequently observed in various cancers, highlighting their role in tumorigenesis.
Understanding miRNA activity is crucial for deciphering cancer mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel computational method for quantifying miRNA biological activity using gene expression data.
To assess global miRNA activity in papillary thyroid carcinoma and breast cancer.
To investigate the relationship between miRNA activity and gene expression changes in these cancers.

Main Methods:

A computational approach was developed to infer miRNA activity based on variations in gene expression data.
MiRNA activity was quantified in papillary thyroid carcinoma and breast cancer datasets.
The study analyzed the correlation between miRNA activity and the expression levels of predicted miRNA target genes.

Main Results:

A distinct signal of globally increased miRNA activity was identified in both papillary thyroid carcinoma and breast cancer.
This increased miRNA activity correlated with a global downregulation of miRNA target genes.
Genes with multiple miRNA target sites showed particularly pronounced downregulation, including known tumor suppressors.

Conclusions:

The developed computational method effectively quantifies miRNA activity from gene expression data.
Elevated global miRNA activity is a characteristic feature of papillary thyroid carcinoma and breast cancer.
The observed downregulation of tumor suppressor genes by increased miRNA activity suggests a tumorigenic role for enhanced miRNA activity in these cancers.