MicroRNAs regulate several functions of normal tissues and malignancies

Kuo-Chang Wen; Pi-Ling Sung; Ming-Shyen Yen; Chi-Mu Chuang; Wen-Shiung Liou; Peng-Hui Wang

doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2013.10.002

MicroRNAs regulate several functions of normal tissues and malignancies

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Dec;52(4):465-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2013.10.002.

Authors

Kuo-Chang Wen¹, Pi-Ling Sung¹, Ming-Shyen Yen², Chi-Mu Chuang², Wen-Shiung Liou³, Peng-Hui Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Immunology Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Infection and Immunity Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: phwang@vghtpe.gov.tw.

PMID: 24411027
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2013.10.002

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are a cluster of naturally occurring small non-coding RNA molecules of 19-24 nucleotides in length. miRs control gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to a specific site at the 3'-UTR of target mRNA, which results in mRNA cleavage and translation repression. Nearly 1000 miRs in the human genome have been identified, and it is believed that these miRs contribute to at least 60% of the human transcriptome. Recent research has shown that miRs are emerging as important regulators of cellular differentiation and dedifferentiation. In addition, dysregulation of miR expression may play a fundamental role in the onset, progression and dissemination of cancers. In this review, we focus on some paradigms of miR involvement in tumorigenesis, such as ovarian cancer, and also discuss the relationship between miRs and cancer stem cells.

Keywords: cancer stem cell; microRNA; ovarian cancer.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Carcinogenesis / genetics
Cell Dedifferentiation
Cell Differentiation
Female
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
MicroRNAs / genetics*
MicroRNAs / metabolism*
Neoplastic Stem Cells*
Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*

Substances

MIRN21 microRNA, human
MicroRNAs