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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

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Published on: July 22, 2014
The adaptive potential of RNA editing-mediated miRNA-retargeting in cancer
Valentina Tassinari1, Valeriana Cesarini1, Domenico Alessandro Silvestris1
1RNA Editing Laboratory, Oncohaematology Department, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù (OPBG), Viale di San Paolo, 15, 00146 Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
A-to-I RNA editing is a post-transcriptional mechanism that converts the genomically coded Adenosine (A) into Inosine (I) at the RNA level. This type of RNA editing is the most frequent in humans and is mediated by the ADAR enzymes. RNA editing can alter the genetic code of mRNAs, but also affect the functions of noncoding RNAs such as miRNAs. Recent studies have identified thousands of microRNA editing events in different cancer types. However, the important role played by miRNA-editing in cancer has been reported for just a few microRNAs. Herein, we recapitulate the current studies on cancer-related microRNA editing and discuss their importance in tumor growth and progression. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: mRNA modifications in gene expression control edited by Dr. Soller Matthias and Dr. Fray Rupert.
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