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Updated: Oct 5, 2025
09:45
An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
Published on: May 21, 2019
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Interplay between K-RAS and miRNAs.
Bing Shui1, Gaspare La Rocca2, Andrea Ventura2
1Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Trends in Cancer
|January 30, 2022
Summary
K-RAS mutations drive cancer by causing overactivation, but feedback mechanisms involving microRNAs (miRNAs) help regulate signaling. This review explores how noncoding RNAs control K-RAS activity, impacting cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- K-RAS mutations are common in cancer, leading to overactivation and oncogene-induced senescence (OIS).
- Feedback mechanisms regulate K-RAS signaling to balance proliferation and prevent senescence.
- Aberrant RAS signaling and microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation frequently occur together in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the interplay between K-RAS signaling and miRNA function.
- To propose a model for how noncoding RNAs regulate K-RAS signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on K-RAS, cancer, senescence, and microRNAs.
- Analysis of existing data on miRNA regulation of K-RAS and vice versa.
- Synthesis of findings to propose a regulatory model.
Main Results:
- K-RAS signaling is tightly regulated by feedback loops to maintain cellular homeostasis.
- MicroRNAs play a significant role in both positively and negatively regulating K-RAS.
- Evidence suggests a complex network where K-RAS and miRNAs mutually influence each other.
Conclusions:
- Noncoding RNAs, particularly miRNAs, are integral components of K-RAS regulatory networks.
- Dysregulation of the K-RAS-miRNA axis contributes to cancer pathogenesis.
- Understanding this interplay offers potential therapeutic strategies targeting K-RAS-driven cancers.
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