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Regulatory Mechanism of MicroRNA Expression in Cancer

Zainab Ali Syeda1,2, Siu Semar Saratu' Langden1,2, Choijamts Munkhzul1,2

  • 1Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan 31151, Korea.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|March 7, 2020
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression implicated in cancer. This review details how miRNA dysregulation, through genetic and epigenetic changes, drives cancer pathogenesis and progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Altered gene expression drives human diseases, notably cancer.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, impacting oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
  • miRNA dysfunction is linked to cancer pathogenesis, with many miRNAs acting as oncomiRs or oncosuppressor miRs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of miRNA expression deregulation in cancer.
  • To highlight the roles of transcriptional and post-transcriptional factors in miRNA dysregulation.
  • To underscore the importance of understanding miRNA regulation for cancer research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on miRNA regulation in cancer.
  • Analysis of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms affecting miRNA expression.
  • Examination of transcription factor and processing pathway involvement.

Main Results:

  • miRNA expression is altered in cancer via genetic deletion/amplification and epigenetic methylation.
  • Transcription factors and miRNA biogenesis processing steps significantly impact miRNA levels in cancer.
  • Dysregulated miRNAs contribute to cancer development by affecting oncogenic and tumor-suppressive genes.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding miRNA deregulation mechanisms is crucial for comprehending cancer physiology.
  • Transcriptional and post-transcriptional factors are key players in cancer-associated miRNA programs.
  • Further research into miRNA regulation offers potential for novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Keywords:
cancerepigenetic modificationgenetic alterationsmicroRNAmicroRNA biogenesispost-transcriptional regulation

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