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Disruption of the expression and function of microRNAs in lung cancer as a result of epigenetic changes

Kousuke Watanabe1, Daiya Takai2

  • 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Frontiers in Genetics
|December 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in cell fate and are implicated in diseases like lung cancer. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA and H3K27 methylation, disrupt miRNA function, contributing to cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate cell fate and their disruption is linked to various diseases, notably cancer.
  • The role of miRNAs in lung cancer has been identified, with specific miRNAs showing tumor-suppressive or oncogenic functions.
  • Causes of miRNA disruption include genetic alterations and epigenetic modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on miRNA disruption in lung cancer.
  • To discuss the impact of epigenetic changes on miRNA expression in lung cancer.
  • To explore emerging roles of RNA editing in miRNA function within cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on miRNA disruption and epigenetic modifications in lung cancer.
  • Analysis of research on RNA editing and its effects on miRNA activity.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms of miRNA dysregulation.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic changes, including H3K9 and H3K27 methylation, suppress miRNA expression in lung cancer.
  • These epigenetic alterations can precede DNA methylation, highlighting early regulatory events.
  • Cancer-specific RNA editing events are emerging as a factor influencing miRNA function.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic deregulation significantly contributes to miRNA disruption in lung cancer.
  • Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted lung cancer therapies.
  • Further research into RNA editing's role in miRNA function may reveal new therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
DNA methylationRNA editinghistone modificationlung cancermicroRNA

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