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MicroRNA regulation of epithelial plasticity in cancer

Nicholas C D'Amato1, Erin N Howe, Jennifer K Richer

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Cancer Letters
|December 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and are crucial in cancer progression. This review highlights miRNAs involved in carcinoma cell plasticity and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), key factors in metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression.
  • Aberrant miRNA activity is linked to various diseases, including cancer.
  • Carcinoma cells exhibit plasticity, often involving epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), during metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of miRNAs in regulating carcinoma cell plasticity.
  • To explore the connection between miRNAs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
  • To summarize miRNAs that influence epithelial plasticity in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on miRNAs, EMT, and cancer.
  • Analysis of miRNA targets involved in epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics.
  • Examination of feedback loops between miRNAs and EMT-regulating transcription factors.

Main Results:

  • Numerous miRNAs target genes critical for epithelial or mesenchymal traits.
  • miRNAs play a significant role in modulating epithelial plasticity.
  • miRNAs are involved in feedback loops with transcription factors governing EMT.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are key regulators of carcinoma cell plasticity.
  • Understanding miRNA involvement in EMT is crucial for cancer metastasis research.
  • miRNAs represent potential therapeutic targets for controlling cancer cell plasticity.
Keywords:
CancerEMTMETMetastasisMicroRNAPlasticity

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