MicroRNAs in cancers and neurodegenerative disorders

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Updated: May 17, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
09:06

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

Published on: October 7, 2025

Yoshimasa Saito1, Hidetsugu Saito

  • 1Division of Pharmacotherapeutics, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy Tokyo, Japan.

Frontiers in Genetics
|October 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules regulating gene silencing. This review explores how specific miRNAs are implicated in both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting shared molecular pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
  • miRNAs play critical roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation.
  • Dysregulation of miRNAs is linked to human diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of miRNAs in the molecular pathogenesis of cancer.
  • To review the role of miRNAs in the molecular pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • To discuss common miRNA pathways involved in both cancer and neurodegeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on miRNAs in cancer and neurodegeneration.
  • Analysis of differential miRNA expression in disease states.
  • Identification of shared miRNA regulatory networks.

Main Results:

  • Specific miRNAs (e.g., miR-9, miR-29, miR-34) are differentially expressed in cancers and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's).
  • These miRNAs can function as tumor suppressors.
  • Evidence suggests common miRNA pathways regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and death in both cancer and neurodegeneration.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are crucial in the molecular pathogenesis of both cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Shared miRNA pathways may represent a common regulatory mechanism underlying these distinct disease types.
  • Targeting these common miRNA pathways could offer novel therapeutic strategies for both cancer and neurodegeneration.
Keywords:
cancermiR-29a/29b-1miR-34b/34cmiR-9microRNAneurodegenerative disorder

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