The Pervasive Role of the miR-181 Family in Development, Neurodegeneration, and Cancer

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs playing a fundamental role in the regulation of gene expression. Evidence accumulating in the past decades indicate that they are capable of simultaneously modulating diverse signaling pathways involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the function of a highly conserved group of miRNAs, the miR-181 family, both in physiological as well as in pathological conditions. We summarize a large body of studies highlighting a role for this miRNA family in the regulation of key biological processes such as embryonic development, cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, mitochondrial function, and immune response. Importantly, members of this family have been involved in many pathological processes underlying the most common neurodegenerative disorders as well as different solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The relevance of this miRNA family in the pathogenesis of these disorders and their possible influence on the severity of their manifestations will be discussed. A better understanding of the miR-181 family in pathological conditions may open new therapeutic avenues for devasting disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

miR‑589‑3p sponged by the lncRNA TINCR inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion and promotes the apoptosis of breast cancer cells by suppressing the Akt pathway via IGF1R

“…miRNAs are widely involved in cell proliferation, organ development, immune response and tumor formation among other processes. Previous studies reported that miRNAs are closely related to the occurrence and development of certain types of tumor ( 35 - 37 ). Not only they can function as tumor promoters but they can also function as oncogenes.…”

Downregulation of miR‑181b inhibits human colon�cancer cell proliferation by targeting CYLD and inhibiting the NF‑κB signaling pathway

“…In colon cancer, a positive feedback loop between miR-181b and STAT3 was identified, which regulated the Warburg effect and xenograft tumor growth (20). It has been well documented that the expression of miR-181b in glioblastoma, where it acts as an onco-suppressor gene, is downregulated via the NF-κB pathway (5). The NF-κB signaling pathway plays a key role in colon cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis (14).…”

“…At present, microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), types of small non-coding RNAs of 20-24 nucleotides in length, have gained increasing attention due to their regulatory effects on the transcription of their target genes (5). A large number of studies have suggested that miRNAs regulate fundamental biological processes, while their dysfunction may affect the balance of the human body, which in turn induces tissue/organ injuries (5,6). Among the miRNA families, the present study aimed to investigate the role of miR-181b in colon cancer.…”

Dopamine, Alpha-Synuclein, and Mitochondrial Dysfunctions in Parkinsonian Eyes

“…These common mechanisms can explain the similar retinal phenotype seen in patients with PD and those with LHON and DOA, suggesting that they might also share similar therapeutic targets. Strategies that enhanced mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis resulted indeed in an amelioration of the phenotype in both LHON and PD representing attractive targets for drug development (Zheng et al, 2010;Dikic and Bremm, 2014;Eschbach et al, 2015;Koentjoro et al, 2017;Indrieri et al, 2019Indrieri et al, , 2020.…”