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Epigenetic regulation of miRNAs in cancer

Muller Fabbri1, Federica Calore, Alessio Paone

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Mailstop #57, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. mfabbri@chla.usc.edu

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|September 8, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic processes regulate microRNAs (miRNAs), including a subset called epi-miRNAs that target epigenetic machinery. This interaction influences cancer genes and offers new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial noncoding RNAs involved in gene regulation.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms, similar to those affecting protein-coding genes, also regulate miRNA genes.
  • A specialized group of miRNAs, termed epi-miRNAs, directly influences epigenetic regulators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the intricate relationship between epigenetics and miRNAs.
  • To investigate the role of epi-miRNAs in targeting epigenetic machinery.
  • To discuss the translational potential of these findings in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on miRNA and epigenetic interactions.
  • Analysis of how epi-miRNAs modulate key epigenetic enzymes (DNMTs, HDACs, Polycomb).
  • Examination of the impact of epigenetic drugs on miRNA expression.

Main Results:

  • Epi-miRNAs directly target and influence key epigenetic regulators.
  • This interaction affects the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
  • Approved epigenetic drugs impact miRNA expression, suggesting a shared mechanism of action.

Conclusions:

  • A significant interplay exists between epigenetic regulation and miRNA function.
  • Epi-miRNAs represent a novel class of regulators with implications in cancer.
  • Targeting epigenetically related miRNAs holds promise for future cancer treatments.

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