Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
08:14
MicroRNA Based Liquid Biopsy: The Experience of the Plasma miRNA Signature Classifier MSC for Lung Cancer Screening
Published on: October 26, 2017
16.3K
Are Circulating microRNAs Involved in Tumor Surveillance?
1Department of Gastroenterology, Szt Imre Teaching Hospital Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
Experientia Supplementum (2012)
|November 27, 2015
Summary
Circulating microRNAs in healthy individuals primarily exhibit tumor suppressor activity. These microRNAs may act as a surveillance system, preventing cancer development and complementing immune surveillance mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs found in bodily fluids.
- Literature data suggests miRNAs play roles in gene regulation and disease.
- Tumor suppressor genes are critical in preventing cancer initiation and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of circulating microRNAs in cancer surveillance.
- To hypothesize a mechanism by which circulating miRNAs may prevent tumorigenesis.
- To explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for early cancer detection.
Main Methods:
- In silico analysis of literature data on miRNA expression profiles.
- Bioinformatic evaluation of miRNA functions and targets.
- Comparative analysis of miRNA activity in healthy versus diseased states.
Main Results:
- Healthy individuals exhibit a high abundance of circulating miRNAs with tumor suppressor activity.
- Circulating miRNAs may exert epigenetic control over gene expression, halting cell transformation.
- This miRNA-mediated surveillance could be a complementary mechanism to cancer immune surveillance.
Conclusions:
- Circulating tumor suppressor miRNAs potentially form a continuous surveillance system against cancer.
- Epigenetic modulation by circulating miRNAs may prevent tumorigenesis.
- Tissue-specific miRNA actions might defend against potential tumor-promoting effects of secreted miRNAs.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
4.3K
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...
4.3K
01:22MicroRNAs
24.6K
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...
24.6K
01:22MicroRNAs
12.0K
12.0K
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
10.2K
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
10.2K
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
9.2K
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
9.2K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
5.1K
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...
5.1K