MicroRNAs as important contributors in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer

Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard1, Bashdar Mahmud Hussen2, Elham Badrlou1

  • 1Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, influencing key pathways and offering diagnostic potential. Further research is needed to explore their therapeutic applications in clinical settings.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death globally.
  • Non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), play significant roles in CRC pathogenesis.
  • miRNAs are implicated in regulating critical signaling pathways like TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, and PI3K/AKT in CRC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated review on the involvement of miRNAs in colorectal cancer.
  • To summarize the diagnostic and prognostic applications of miRNAs in CRC.
  • To highlight the potential therapeutic roles of miRNAs in CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on recent advancements in miRNA research related to CRC.
  • Analysis of studies investigating miRNA expression in biological samples (stool, serum) for CRC detection.
  • Examination of preclinical and clinical studies on miRNA-based therapeutics for CRC.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are key regulators of CRC development and progression, interacting with other non-coding RNAs.
  • Circulating miRNAs in stool and serum show promise as diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing CRC patients from healthy individuals.
  • While therapeutic strategies using miRNAs have shown potential in animal models, clinical validation is still pending.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs are integral to the molecular landscape of colorectal cancer, influencing its development and progression.
  • miRNAs hold significant potential as non-invasive biomarkers for CRC diagnosis and prognosis.
  • Further clinical investigation is warranted to translate the therapeutic promise of miRNAs into effective treatments for colorectal cancer.

Related Concept Videos

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...
3.3K
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...
22.6K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.2K
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...
4.0K
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...
3.1K
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
9.2K