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Published on: January 31, 2018
The Role of MicroRNA in DNA Damage Response
Yongxin Li1, Yan Tong2, Jiaqi Liu1
1School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
DNA is essential for the development and function of organisms. A number of factors affect DNA integrity and cause DNA damages, such as ultraviolet light, ionizing radiation and hydrogen peroxide. DNA damages activate a series of intracellular reactions, called DNA damage response, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cancers and other diseases. MiRNA is a type of evolutionarily conserved non-coding RNA and affects the expression of target genes by post-transcriptional regulation. Increasing evidences suggested that the expression of some miRNAs was changed in tumor cases. MiRNAs may participate in DNA damage response and affect genomic stability via influencing the processes of cell cycle, DNA damage repair and apoptosis, thus ultimately impact on tumorigenesis. Therefore, the role of miRNA in DNA damage response is reviewed, to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism of miRNAs' effects on DNA damage response and for the research of new therapies for diseases.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. This review explores how miRNAs impact DNA damage response and genomic stability, influencing cancer development and potential new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- DNA integrity is vital for organismal function and development.
- DNA damage from various agents triggers a complex DNA damage response (DDR).
- Aberrant DDR is implicated in cancer and other diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the DNA damage response.
- To elucidate how miRNAs influence genomic stability and tumorigenesis.
- To provide a basis for understanding miRNA mechanisms in DDR and developing novel therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating miRNA involvement in DNA damage.
- Analysis of miRNA regulation of key DDR pathways including cell cycle, DNA repair, and apoptosis.
- Synthesis of evidence linking altered miRNA expression to cancer pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests miRNAs are dysregulated in various cancers.
- MiRNAs can modulate DNA repair efficiency, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis following DNA damage.
- Altered miRNA expression can impact genomic stability and contribute to tumorigenesis.
Conclusions:
- MiRNAs play a significant role in the DNA damage response.
- Understanding miRNA-mediated DDR pathways is crucial for cancer research.
- MiRNAs represent potential therapeutic targets for diseases involving DNA damage and genomic instability.
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