Autophagy regulated by miRNAs in colorectal cancer progression and resistance

Andrew Fesler1, Hua Liu1, Ning Wu1,2

  • 1Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794 USA.

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) epigenetically regulate autophagy, a cellular recycling process. This review highlights miRNA

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Autophagy is a crucial catabolic process for cellular macromolecule breakdown and recycling.
  • Epigenetic regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) is increasingly recognized in human cancers.
  • Autophagy significantly influences colorectal cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding miRNA regulation of autophagy in colorectal cancer.
  • To elucidate the role of miRNAs in mediating autophagy's functions in colorectal cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on miRNA-autophagy interactions in colorectal cancer.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking miRNAs, autophagy, and colorectal cancer.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are directly involved in modulating autophagy in colorectal cancer.
  • Specific miRNAs can promote or inhibit autophagy, impacting cancer progression.
  • miRNA-mediated autophagy regulation contributes to chemotherapy resistance.

Conclusions:

  • miRNA regulation of autophagy is a key epigenetic mechanism in colorectal cancer.
  • Targeting miRNA-autophagy pathways presents potential therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancer.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate these complex interactions.

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

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...
4.9K
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...
4.2K
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...
24.4K
Autophagy01:27

Autophagy

Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
6.0K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.8K
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
3.8K