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MicroRNAs in the Mitochondria-Telomere Axis: Novel Insights into Cancer Development and Potential Therapeutic Targets

José Alfonso Cruz-Ramos1,2, Emmanuel de la Mora-Jiménez2, Beatriz Alejandra Llanes-Cervantes3

  • 1Departamento de Clínicas Médicas, Instituto de Patología Infecciosa y Experimental, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico.

Genes
|March 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators linking mitochondria and telomeres, influencing aging and cancer. This review explores their role in cancer progression and potential as biomarkers or therapeutics.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The mitochondria-telomere axis is crucial for metabolism, aging, and cancer.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are vital regulators of cellular processes, including homeostasis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
  • miRNAs impact telomere stability and mitochondrial function, affecting cell proliferation and viability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of miRNAs in the mitochondria-telomere axis.
  • To highlight the involvement of miRNAs in cancer progression.
  • To explore the potential of miRNAs as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on miRNAs, mitochondria, telomeres, and cancer.
  • Analysis of miRNA involvement in cellular homeostasis, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and immune responses (cGAS/STING pathway).
  • Examination of mitochondrial miRNAs (mitomiRs) and their association with gene expression and metabolic changes.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are integral to telomere maintenance and mitochondrial dynamics.
  • Mitochondrial miRNAs (mitomiRs) connect mitochondrial DNA recognition to immune signaling via the cGAS/STING pathway.
  • miRNAs regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic shifts characteristic of cancer.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are critical players in the mitochondria-telomere axis, impacting cancer development.
  • Dysregulation of specific miRNAs contributes to cancer progression.
  • miRNAs hold significant promise as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
cancercarcinogenesismicroRNAsmitochondriamitomiRstelomeretumor progression

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