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MicroRNA function in cancer: oncogene or a tumor suppressor?
Sylvia K Shenouda1, Suresh K Alahari
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Cancer Metastasis Reviews
|December 17, 2009
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules regulating gene expression. Their dysregulation is linked to cancer, where they can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, impacting disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression.
- They function by binding to complementary sequences on target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), inhibiting protein translation.
- MiRNAs play crucial roles in cellular processes like differentiation and proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent discoveries concerning microRNAs.
- To highlight the significance of miRNAs in the context of human cancer.
- To explore the dual role of miRNAs as oncogenes and tumor suppressors in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Analysis of miRNA involvement in cancer development and progression.
- Examination of miRNA mechanisms as oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
Main Results:
- MiRNAs are implicated as targets for approximately 5,300 human genes.
- Misregulation of miRNAs is strongly associated with various human diseases, particularly cancer.
- In cancer, miRNAs can promote tumor formation (oncogenes) or inhibit it (tumor suppressors).
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs are critical regulators of gene expression with significant roles in normal cellular functions.
- Dysregulated miRNA activity is a key factor in the development and progression of cancer.
- Understanding miRNA functions is vital for developing novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
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