Therapeutic Potential of MicroRNA Let-7: Tumor Suppression or Impeding Normal Stemness

The first microRNA, let-7, and its family were discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans and are functionally conserved from worms to humans in the regulation of embryonic development and stemness. The let-7 family has been shown to have an essential role in stem cell differentiation and tumor-suppressiv...

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Published in:Cell Transplantation 2014-01, Vol.23 (4-5), p.459-469
Main Authors: Chiu, Shao-Chih, Chung, Hao-Yu, Cho, Der-Yang, Chan, Tzu-Min, Liu, Ming-Chao, Huang, Hiang-Ming, Li, Tsyng-You, Lin, Jian-Yong, Chou, Pei-Chang, Fu, Ru-Huei, Yang, Wen-Kuang, Harn, Horng-Jyh, Lin, Shinn-Zong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Genetic Therapy
Humans
MicroRNAs - genetics
MicroRNAs - metabolism
Neoplasms - genetics
Neoplasms - pathology
Neoplasms - therapy
RNA-Binding Proteins - genetics
RNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism
Stem Cells - cytology
Stem Cells - metabolism
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Summary:The first microRNA, let-7, and its family were discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans and are functionally conserved from worms to humans in the regulation of embryonic development and stemness. The let-7 family has been shown to have an essential role in stem cell differentiation and tumor-suppressive activity. Deregulating expression of let-7 is commonly reported in many human cancers. Emerging evidence has accumulated and suggests that reestablishment of let-7 in tumor cells is a valuable therapeutic strategy. However, findings reach beyond tumor therapeutics and may impinge on stemness and differentiation of stem cells. In this review, we discuss the role of let-7 in development and differentiation of normal adult stem/progenitor cells and offer a viewpoint of the association between deregulated let-7 expression and tumorigenesis. The regulation of let-7 expression, cancer-relevant let-7 targets, and the application of let-7 are highlighted.
ISSN:0963-6897
1555-3892
DOI:10.3727/096368914X678418