miR‐146a‐5p: Expression, regulation, and functions in cancer

Abstract

Cancer as we know it is actually an umbrella term for over 100 very unique malignancies in various tissues throughout the human body. Each type, and even subtype of cancer, has different genetic, epigenetic, and other cellular events responsible for malignant development and metastasis. Recent work has indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a major role in these processes, sometimes by promoting cancer growth and other times by suppressing tumorigenesis. miRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate expression of specific target genes. This review goes into an in‐depth look at the most recent finding regarding the significance of one particular miRNA, miR‐146a‐5p, and its involvement in cancer. Target gene validation and pathway analysis have provided mechanistic insight into this miRNA's purpose in assorted tissues. Additionally, this review outlines novel findings that suggest miR‐146a‐5p may be useful as a noninvasive biomarker and as a targeted therapeutic in several cancers. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs

The role of miR‐146a in viral infection

“…Moreover, the EGFR gene is regulated via miR‐146a in prostate cancer cells . These results show that miR‐146a affects human prostatic epithelial cells through many pathways . These researches suggest that miR‐146a may play a significant role in controlling cancer by modulating the immune system.…”

“…Although apoptosis frequency is not affected, more cells shifts to S‐phase, indicating enhanced proliferation rates . These results are significant because the decrease of TRAF6 and IRAK 1 expression is formerly reported to have anticancer effects . This miRNA is well investigated in prostate malignancy, and all studies have reported that miR‐146a acts as a tumor inhibitor in prostate cancer.…”

“…miR‐146a is an abundantly expressed miRNA in various mammalian cell types. miR‐146a has multiple evidence of its involvement in inflammation, differentiation, and function of adaptive and innate immune cells . The gene of miR‐146a is located on human chromosomes 5, 10, and 19, while it is detected at chromosome 11 in the mouse.…”

“…Several studies have reported that miR‐146a is overexpressed in most viral disease and can act as a critical factor for the development of viral infection by suppressing antiviral host agents. Because of the numerous mentioned roles, it can be at the center of attention in controlling viral infections …”

“…The significance of miRNA biogenesis in the immune system is emphasized by the fact that conditional ablation of factors involved in the processing of miRNA like Dicer lead to suppress T‐ and B‐cell development. Besides, upregulation or downregulation of certain miRNAs leads to profound impairment in the function and/or progression of the immune system cells . Furthermore, different viral infections could differentially affect the expression level of certain miRNAs in common host.…”