Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
07:02

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

miR-122 regulates hepatic lipid metabolism and tumor suppression

Jessica Wen, Joshua R Friedman

    The Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |July 24, 2012
    PubMed

    Insights

    MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is crucial for liver fat and cholesterol metabolism. Its absence in mice leads to liver disease and cancer, indicating a tumor suppressor role.

    Area of Science:

    • Hepatology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Metabolic Diseases

    Background:

    • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
    • miR-122 is the most abundant miRNA in the liver, essential for metabolic homeostasis.
    • Its specific functions in metabolism and disease remain incompletely understood.

    Discussion:

    • Germline and liver-specific deletion of miR-122 impacts fat and cholesterol metabolism.
    • Other hepatic metabolic functions appear independent of miR-122.
    • miR-122 deficiency results in hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

    Key Insights:

    • miR-122 plays a critical role in regulating lipid and cholesterol metabolism in the liver.
    • Loss of miR-122 leads to significant liver pathology, including inflammation and fibrosis.
    • miR-122 demonstrates a tumor suppressor function in hepatocytes, preventing hepatocellular carcinoma.

    Outlook:

    • Further investigation into miR-122's regulatory networks in lipid metabolism.
    • Exploring therapeutic strategies targeting miR-122 for metabolic liver diseases.
    • Understanding the mechanisms by which miR-122 suppresses liver cancer.

    More Related Videos

    Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library08:40

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

    Published on: April 6, 2012

    In Vitro Cultivation Techniques for Modeling Liver Organogenesis, Building Assembloids, and Designing Synthetic Tissues using Human Cell Lines08:50

    In Vitro Cultivation Techniques for Modeling Liver Organogenesis, Building Assembloids, and Designing Synthetic Tissues using Human Cell Lines

    Published on: April 18, 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 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...
    Abnormal Proliferation02:23

    Abnormal Proliferation

    Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
    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...