Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
08:40

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

Published on: April 6, 2012

Roles of microRNAs and other non-coding RNAs in breast cancer metastasis

Scott Valastyan1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. scott_valastyan@hms.harvard.edu

Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia
|February 2, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs, are crucial in breast cancer metastasis. Understanding their roles offers new diagnostic and treatment strategies for metastatic breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Metastases cause most cancer deaths, yet molecular drivers are poorly understood.
  • Non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs, are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer progression.
  • Breast cancer metastasis involves complex molecular circuitry that remains to be fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on non-coding RNA functions in breast cancer metastasis.
  • To highlight the specific roles of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of breast cancer metastasis.
  • To discuss translational opportunities for diagnosing and treating breast tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research findings.
  • Focus on microRNA involvement in breast cancer metastatic processes.
  • Analysis of potential clinical applications of non-coding RNA research.

Main Results:

  • Non-coding RNAs significantly influence malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells.
  • MicroRNAs play pivotal roles in determining metastatic propensity.
  • Emerging research indicates non-coding RNAs are key regulators in cancer metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • Comprehension of non-coding RNA functions is vital for understanding metastatic disease.
  • MicroRNAs and other non-coding RNAs present promising avenues for breast cancer diagnosis and therapy.
  • Further research into non-coding RNAs will impact the clinical management of metastatic breast cancer.

More Related Videos

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis10:40

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

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

Related Concept Videos

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...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

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)...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

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...
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...