Notch-associated microRNAs in cancer

Yin-Yuan Mo1, Hua Tang, Lucio Miele

  • 1Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. ymo@umc.edu

Current Drug Targets
|July 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Notch signaling and microRNAs interact in cancer development and treatment. Understanding this cross-talk reveals new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for malignancies and chemoresistance.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Notch signaling is crucial for cell functions like differentiation and survival.
  • Dysregulation of Notch signaling is linked to human cancers.
  • Emerging evidence highlights a complex interplay between Notch signaling and microRNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the interaction between Notch signaling and microRNAs in cancer.
  • To explore how this interaction influences tumorigenesis and chemoresistance.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets within the Notch-microRNA axis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on Notch signaling and microRNAs in cancer.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which Notch regulates microRNAs and vice versa.
  • Examination of the role of this interaction in cancer development and treatment resistance.

Main Results:

  • Notch signaling components regulate microRNA expression.
  • MicroRNAs, in turn, modulate Notch pathway elements.
  • This bidirectional regulation impacts cancer initiation, progression, and drug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • The intricate relationship between Notch signaling and microRNAs is central to cancer biology.
  • Targeting this axis offers promising avenues for novel cancer biomarkers and therapies.
  • Further research into Notch-microRNA interactions can advance oncology treatments.

Related Concept Videos

Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
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...
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 ends...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...