Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (typically 22 nucleotides) non-coding, endogenous, single-stranded RNAs. MiRNA genes are evolutionarily conserved and are located within the introns or exons of protein-coding genes, as well as in intergenic areas. Before the discovery of miRNAs, it had been known that a large part of the genome is not translated into proteins. This so called “junk” DNA was thought to be evolution debris with no function. Recently, the explosive research in this area has established miRNAs as powerful regulators of gene expression. While only about 1,424 human miRNA sequences have been identified so far, genomic computational analysis indicates that as many as 50,000 miRNAs may exist in the human genome, and each may have multiple targets based on similar sequences in the 3-UTR of mRNA. MiRNAs have been implicated in different areas such as the immune response, neural development, DNA repair, apoptosis, oxidative stress response and others and it is impressive the list of diseases which have recently been found to be associated with abnormal miRNA expression. Here, we focus our attention on the importance of cancer regulator miRNAs. They are divided into oncomiRs and anti-oncomiRs that negatively regulate tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, respectively. Importantly, the association of miRNAs with cancer has prompted additional functional classification of these short RNAs and their potential relevance in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Keywords: miRNA, cancer, oncomiRs, anti-oncomiRs, nucleotides, protein, genome, apoptosis, oxidative stress, oncogenes
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Cancer Regulator MicroRNA: Potential Relevance in Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of Cancer
Volume: 19 Issue: 4
Author(s): G. Fiorucci, M. V. Chiantore, G. Mangino, Z. A. Percario, E. Affabris and G. Romeo
Affiliation:
Keywords: miRNA, cancer, oncomiRs, anti-oncomiRs, nucleotides, protein, genome, apoptosis, oxidative stress, oncogenes
Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (typically 22 nucleotides) non-coding, endogenous, single-stranded RNAs. MiRNA genes are evolutionarily conserved and are located within the introns or exons of protein-coding genes, as well as in intergenic areas. Before the discovery of miRNAs, it had been known that a large part of the genome is not translated into proteins. This so called “junk” DNA was thought to be evolution debris with no function. Recently, the explosive research in this area has established miRNAs as powerful regulators of gene expression. While only about 1,424 human miRNA sequences have been identified so far, genomic computational analysis indicates that as many as 50,000 miRNAs may exist in the human genome, and each may have multiple targets based on similar sequences in the 3-UTR of mRNA. MiRNAs have been implicated in different areas such as the immune response, neural development, DNA repair, apoptosis, oxidative stress response and others and it is impressive the list of diseases which have recently been found to be associated with abnormal miRNA expression. Here, we focus our attention on the importance of cancer regulator miRNAs. They are divided into oncomiRs and anti-oncomiRs that negatively regulate tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, respectively. Importantly, the association of miRNAs with cancer has prompted additional functional classification of these short RNAs and their potential relevance in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Fiorucci G., V. Chiantore M., Mangino G., A. Percario Z., Affabris E. and Romeo G., Cancer Regulator MicroRNA: Potential Relevance in Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of Cancer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2012; 19 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986712798918798
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986712798918798 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
Current advances in inherited cardiomyopathy
Describe in detail all novel advances in multimodality imaging related to inherited cardiomyopathy diagnosis and prognosis. Shed light to deeper phenotypic characterization. Acknowledge recent advances in genetics, genomics and precision medicineread more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
LncRNA HOTAIR as Prognostic Circulating Marker and Potential Therapeutic Target in Patients with Tumor Diseases
Current Drug Targets The Antiprogestogen Mifepristone: A Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Neoisoliquiritigenin Inhibits Tumor Progression by Targeting GRP78-β- catenin Signaling in Breast Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Heparin Affin Regulatory Peptide: A New Target for Tumour Therapy?
Current Cancer Drug Targets How is Gene Transfection Able to Improve Current Chemotherapy? The Role of Combined Therapy in Cancer Treatment
Current Medicinal Chemistry Immune Responses to Adenovirus and Adeno-Associated Vectors Used for Gene Therapy of Brain Diseases: The Role of Immunological Synapses in Understanding the Cell Biology of Neuroimmune Interactions
Current Gene Therapy Design and Endpoints of Clinical and Translational Trials in Advanced Colorectal Cancer. A Proposal from GROUP Español Multidisciplinar en Cancer Digestivo (GEMCAD)
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Post-Transcriptional and Post-translational Regulation of Central Carbon Metabolic Enzymes in Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Phenanthridine Sulfonamide Derivatives as Potential DPP-IV Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
Current Computer-Aided Drug Design Editorial [Hot Topic: Drug Targets in Viral Infections (Guest Editor: Jean-Marc Sabatier)]
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Physiology of Folic Acid in Health and Disease
Current Drug Metabolism Synthesis, Immunomodulation and Cytotoxic Effects of Vanadium (IV) Complexes
Medicinal Chemistry Anti-Tumorigenic Effects of Resveratrol in Lung Cancer Cells Through Modulation of c-FLIP
Current Cancer Drug Targets Strategies Targeting DNA Topoisomerase I in Cancer Chemotherapy: Camptothecins, Nanocarriers for Camptothecins, Organic Non-Camptothecin Compounds and Metal Complexes
Current Drug Targets Anti-Angiogenesis Activities of Dietary Constituents and Health Foods with Potential Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Activity
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Pharmacological Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Kidney Injury Induced by Radiotherapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives
Current Molecular Pharmacology 1,4-Benzothiazines-A Biologically Attractive Scaffold
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Impact of RET Screening on the Management of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A: 10 Years Experience and Follow-Up in Three Families
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets A Natural Membrane Vesicle Exosome-based Sinomenine Delivery Platform for Hepatic Carcinoma Therapy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry In vitro Study on the Effect of Nanoparticles and Transfersomes as Targeted Drug Carrier for Cancer
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology-Asia