Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
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
555
MicroRNA-mediated regulation of melanoma
1Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, 475 Brannan St Suite 220, San Francisco, CA, 94107, U.S.A.
The British Journal of Dermatology
|March 27, 2014
Summary
Melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, lacks effective treatments for advanced stages due to poorly understood molecular drivers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in melanoma development and metastasis, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with high mortality, particularly in advanced stages.
- Current treatments are limited, especially for metastatic disease, highlighting a need for better understanding of its molecular progression.
- Genetic and epigenetic alterations are implicated in melanoma development and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in melanoma.
- To highlight deregulated miRNAs targeting key genes and pathways in melanoma progression.
- To discuss the potential clinical utility of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on miRNAs in melanoma.
- Analysis of identified deregulated miRNAs and their targeted genes/pathways.
- Evaluation of the role of miRNAs in melanocyte transformation and metastasis.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators in melanoma initiation and progression.
- Specific deregulated miRNAs target crucial genes and pathways driving melanoma development and metastasis.
- miRNAs play a significant role in the transition from primary to metastatic melanoma.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs are pivotal in melanoma pathogenesis and progression.
- Targeting specific miRNAs holds promise for novel melanoma therapies.
- miRNAs may serve as valuable biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of melanoma.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
3.0K
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...
3.0K
01:22MicroRNAs
21.1K
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...
21.1K
01:22MicroRNAs
9.8K
9.8K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
3.6K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.6K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.0K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.0K
01:15Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
2.0K
Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR...
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR...
2.0K