MicroRNA—implications for cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. After the discovery of the first miRNA in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans , these short regulatory RNAs have been found to be an abundant class of RNAs in plants, animals, and DNA viruses. About 3%...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology 2008-01, Vol.452 (1), p.1-10
Main Authors: Sassen, Stefanie, Miska, Eric A., Caldas, Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Caenorhabditis elegans
Carcinogenesis
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - physiology
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Medical sciences
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
MicroRNAs - physiology
Neoplasms - genetics
Pathology
Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques
Review and
Review and Perspective
RNA, Neoplasm - physiology
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Summary:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. After the discovery of the first miRNA in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans , these short regulatory RNAs have been found to be an abundant class of RNAs in plants, animals, and DNA viruses. About 3% of human genes encode for miRNAs, and up to 30% of human protein coding genes may be regulated by miRNAs. MicroRNAs play a key role in diverse biological processes, including development, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Accordingly, altered miRNA expression is likely to contribute to human disease, including cancer. This review will summarize the emerging knowledge of the connections between human miRNA biology and different aspects of carcinogenesis. Various techniques available to investigate miRNAs will also be discussed.
ISSN:0945-6317
1432-2307
1422-2307
DOI:10.1007/s00428-007-0532-2