Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis
10:40

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

Epigenetics, miRNAs, and human cancer: a new chapter in human gene regulation

Nicola Valeri1, Ivan Vannini, Francesca Fanini

  • 1Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Mammalian Genome : Official Journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society
|August 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cancer involves genetic and epigenetic changes. This review explores how epigenetic factors influence microRNAs (miRNAs) and how specific epi-microRNAs (epi-miRNAs) regulate the epigenome, contributing to cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cancer is characterized by genetic and epigenetic alterations.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs frequently deregulated in cancer.
  • A complex interplay exists between epigenetic mechanisms and miRNA regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of epigenetics on the miRNome in human cancers.
  • To examine the role of epi-miRNAs in regulating the epigenome during carcinogenesis.
  • To elucidate the feedback loop between epigenetic regulation and miRNA expression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on epigenetic modifications affecting miRNA expression.
  • Analysis of studies identifying and characterizing epi-miRNAs.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on the bidirectional relationship between epigenetics and miRNAs in cancer.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic modifications significantly alter miRNA expression profiles in cancer.
  • Epi-miRNAs are identified as key regulators of the epigenetic machinery.
  • A regulatory feedback loop exists where epigenetic changes influence miRNA expression, and epi-miRNAs, in turn, modulate the epigenome.

Conclusions:

  • The intricate relationship between epigenetics and miRNAs, particularly epi-miRNAs, is crucial in human carcinogenesis.
  • Understanding this interplay offers potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into epi-miRNAs and their epigenetic targets is warranted.

More Related Videos

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method09:06

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues11:29

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

Published on: September 8, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
MicroRNAs01:22

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...
MicroRNAs01:22

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...
MicroRNAs01:22

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...