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Functions and mechanisms of microRNA-31 in human cancers

Tao Yu1, Pei Ma1, Deqin Wu2

  • 1Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|October 31, 2018
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs like miR-31 have dual roles in cancer, promoting some tumors while inhibiting others. This review explores the molecular mechanisms behind miR-31

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
  • Aberrant miRNA expression is implicated in various human diseases, including cancer.
  • MiR-31 is known to play contrasting roles in different cancer types, acting as an oncogene or tumor suppressor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the known target genes and signaling pathways influenced by miR-31.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for miR-31's pleiotropic functions in cancer.
  • To propose a hypothesis explaining the opposing roles of miR-31 in different tumor types.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating global gene expression changes induced by miR-31.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways potentially modulated by miR-31, including RAS/MARK, PI3K/AKT, and RB/E2F.
  • Synthesis of findings to formulate a hypothesis on miR-31's functional diversity.

Main Results:

  • MiR-31 targets numerous genes and interacts with key cancer-related signaling pathways.
  • Evidence suggests miR-31 can promote tumor development (e.g., pancreatic, colorectal cancer) or inhibit it (e.g., ovarian, prostate cancer).
  • Specific pathways like RAS/MARK, PI3K/AKT, and RB/E2F are implicated in mediating miR-31's opposing functions.

Conclusions:

  • The pleiotropy of miR-31 is likely influenced by tissue-specific characteristics of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
  • A positive feedback loop involving miR-31 and its regulatory network may contribute to its diverse functional outcomes.
  • Understanding miR-31's complex roles is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.
Keywords:
MiR-31PathwaysTumorigenesis

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