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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
Crosstalk between kinases, phosphatases and miRNAs in cancer
Júlia L F Abrantes1, Thaís F Tornatore1, Karin J Pelizzaro-Rocha1
1Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, UNICAMP, 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil.
Abstract:
Reversible phosphorylation of proteins, performed by kinases and phosphatases, is the major post translational protein modification in eukaryotic cells. This intracellular event represents a critical regulatory mechanism of several signaling pathways and can be related to a vast array of diseases, including cancer. Cancer research has produced increasing evidence that kinase and phosphatase activity can be compromised by mutations and also by miRNA silencing, performed by small non-coding and endogenously produced RNA molecules that lead to translational repression. miRNAs are believed to target about one-third of human mRNAs while a single miRNA may target about 200 transcripts simultaneously. Regulation of the phosphorylation balance by miRNAs has been a topic of intense research over the last years, spanning topics going as far as cancer aggressiveness and chemotherapy resistance. By addressing recent studies that have shown miRNA expression patterns as phenotypic signatures of cancers and how miRNA influence cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle control, angiogenesis, inflammation and DNA repair, we discuss how kinases, phosphatases and miRNAs cooperatively act in cancer biology.
Insights
Kinases and phosphatases regulate cell signaling through protein phosphorylation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) also impact cancer by altering kinase and phosphatase activity, affecting cell processes like apoptosis and DNA repair.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Reversible protein phosphorylation by kinases and phosphatases is a key regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cells.
- Dysregulation of phosphorylation is implicated in various diseases, notably cancer.
- Small non-coding RNA molecules, microRNAs (miRNAs), can silence gene expression, affecting protein levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the intricate interplay between kinases, phosphatases, and miRNAs in cancer biology.
- To review how miRNA expression patterns serve as cancer signatures.
- To discuss the influence of miRNAs on critical cellular processes in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature and studies.
- Analysis of miRNA expression patterns in cancer.
- Investigation of miRNA influence on cellular processes like apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, inflammation, and DNA repair.
Main Results:
- miRNAs can compromise kinase and phosphatase activity, contributing to cancer development and progression.
- miRNA expression profiles can act as phenotypic signatures for different cancers.
- miRNAs significantly influence key cellular processes relevant to cancer aggressiveness and treatment resistance.
Conclusions:
- Kinases, phosphatases, and miRNAs are cooperatively involved in cancer biology.
- Understanding these interactions offers insights into cancer aggressiveness and chemotherapy resistance.
- miRNAs represent a crucial layer of regulation in the phosphorylation balance relevant to cancer.
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