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Using microRNA Networks to Understand Cancer
Mihnea Dragomir1,2,3, Ana Carolina P Mafra4,5,6, Sandra M G Dias7,8
1Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 1950, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mihnea.p.dragomir@gmail.com.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 29, 2018
Summary
Analyzing microRNA (miRNA) networks in cancer is crucial due to complex interactions. Network analysis offers a powerful approach to understand miRNA roles and identify therapeutic targets in human cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Human cancers exhibit deregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression, impacting tumorigenesis.
- miRNAs interact with numerous messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and other non-coding RNAs (circRNAs, lncRNAs), creating complex regulatory networks.
- Studying individual miRNAs is challenging due to these intricate connections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review network analysis approaches for studying miRNA function in cancer.
- To highlight the importance of network analysis over single-miRNA studies.
- To discuss the potential of network analysis in identifying therapeutic miRNA targets.
Main Methods:
- Focus on network analysis, including monopartite, association, and bipartite networks.
- Illustrate network generation steps with published examples.
- Discuss future perspectives of network-based approaches.
Main Results:
- Network analysis provides a comprehensive view of miRNA interactions.
- It helps overcome the limitations of studying single miRNA molecules.
- Published examples demonstrate the utility of network approaches.
Conclusions:
- Network analysis is a valuable tool for understanding complex miRNA regulatory systems in cancer.
- This approach can significantly aid in selecting effective miRNA-based cancer therapies.
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