Role of microRNAs in solid tumors

Abstract

Accumulating experimental evidence indicates that microRNAs play important roles in various biological processes, such as cell differentiation , proliferation, metabolism and apopto-sis. In addition, several reports concluded that altered expression of specific microRNA genes contributes to the initiation and progression of cancer. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about aberrant expression of various microRNAs in human solid cancers (e.g., lung, breast, and gastric cancers), their target proteins , and the relationship between their expression and response to chemotherapies. We also review the potential for using microRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and cancer therapy. The development of treatment strategies against human solid cancers based on the profile and/or certain features of microRNAs is promising.

In SilicoStudy of miRNA Based Gene Regulation, Involved in Solid Cancer, by the Assistance of Argonaute Protein

“…Hence, to study the relationship between miRNAs and cancer, it is important to examine the expression profile of miRNAs and their target genes in different cancer types. As a case study, the unusual expression of miRNA-21 has been conformed in various cancers such as lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, bladder, and stomach cancer, and interestingly the oncogenic like function of miRNA-21 is mediated through the expression of its target genes like PDCD4 , PTEN , and TGFBR2 which are generally tumor suppressor genes in nature [ 59 ]. Though miRNAs control the gene expression to some extent during translation process but the translational suppression mechanism is still controversial, for example some miRNAs down-regulate while others up-regulate the gene expression.…”