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MicroRNAs

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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...

MicroRNAs

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...

MicroRNAs

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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...

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Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

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Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
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MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

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[Microrna, evolution and cancer].

N N Kolesnikov, S E Titov, Iu A Veriaskina

|June 26, 2013

Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and cell fate. This study reveals miRNA evolution and identifies specific miRNAs as potential biomarkers for diagnosing thyroid and mammary gland cancers.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Evolutionary Biology

Context:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression, influencing vital cellular processes like differentiation and apoptosis.
Over 1600 miRNAs in human cells control up to 60% of protein-coding genes, highlighting their significant regulatory role.
miRNAs are implicated in various cellular pathways and are found in different tissues under both normal and pathological conditions, including cancer.

Purpose:

To conduct a comparative phylogenetic analysis of human miRNA gene evolution.
To investigate the role of specific miRNAs in the carcinogenesis of thyroid and mammary glands.
To evaluate the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for malignancy.

Summary:

Phylogenetic analysis revealed four major peaks of miRNA gene emergence during evolution, with significant expansion after the divergence of humans and chimpanzees.
Over 14% of human miRNAs originated from mobile genetic elements, indicating their integration into the genome.
Expression profiling of five oncomiRs (miR-21, -221, -222, -155, -205) differentiated ductal invasive mammary carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Impact:

The findings suggest distinct roles for miRNAs in the carcinogenesis of thyroid and mammary glands.
Specific miRNA expression profiles show promise for the diagnosis and prognosis of these cancers.
This research underscores the extensive regulatory potential of miRNAs within the genome and their involvement in disease.