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Published on: March 30, 2019
The Impact of miR-122 on Cancer
Shijie Wu1, Yiwen Wu1, Sijun Deng1
1School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, P.R. China.
Abstract:
MiRNAs are confirmed to be a kind of short and eminently conserved noncoding RNAs, which regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level via binding to the 3'- untranslated region (3'-UTR) of targeting multiple target messenger RNAs. Recently, growing evidence stresses the point that they play a crucial role in a variety of pathological processes, including human cancers. Dysregulated miRNAs act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in many cancer types. Among them, we noticed that miR-122 has been widely reported to significantly influence carcinogenicity in a variety of tumors by regulating target genes and signaling pathways. Here, we focused on the expression of miR-122 in regulatory mechanisms and tumor biological processes. We also discussed the effects of miR-122 dysregulation in various types of human malignancies and the potential to develop new molecular miR-122-targeted therapies. The present review suggests that miR-122 may be a potentially useful cancer diagnosis and treatment biomarker. More clinical diagnoses need to be further launched in the future. A promising direction to improve the outcomes for cancer patients will likely combine miR-122 with other traditional tumor biomarkers.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), like miR-122, regulate gene expression and are crucial in cancer development. Dysregulated miR-122 shows potential as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Oncology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, conserved noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- Dysregulated miRNAs function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in various cancers.
- miR-122 is implicated in carcinogenicity across multiple tumor types by modulating target genes and pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of miR-122 in gene regulation and tumor biology.
- To discuss the impact of miR-122 dysregulation in human malignancies.
- To explore the potential of miR-122-targeted therapies and its utility as a biomarker.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on miR-122 expression and function in cancer.
- Analysis of studies investigating miR-122's regulatory mechanisms and impact on oncogenesis.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding miR-122's role in various human cancers.
Main Results:
- miR-122 significantly influences carcinogenicity by regulating target genes and signaling pathways.
- Dysregulation of miR-122 is observed in diverse human malignancies.
- miR-122 exhibits potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker in oncology.
Conclusions:
- miR-122 plays a critical role in cancer development and progression.
- Targeting miR-122 offers potential for novel cancer therapies.
- Combining miR-122 with traditional biomarkers may improve cancer diagnosis and patient outcomes.
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