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Review
. 2013 Jan;137(1):55-63.
doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.08.016. Epub 2012 Sep 3.

SNPing cancer in the bud: microRNA and microRNA-target site polymorphisms as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer

David W Salzman  1 , Joanne B Weidhaas
Affiliations
Review

SNPing cancer in the bud: microRNA and microRNA-target site polymorphisms as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer

David W Salzman et al. Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are master regulators of gene expression and control many biological pathways such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Deregulation of microRNA expression and activity results in a myriad of diseases including cancer. Recently, several reports have indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs and microRNA-target sites impact microRNA biology and associate with cancer risk, treatment response and outcome. In this review we will describe these findings and discuss the possible future of utilizing these SNPs as diagnostic and prognostic markers in the clinic.

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Conflict of interest statement

5. Conflict of Interest Statement

Dr. Weidhaas has patented IP surrounding SNP rs61764370 through Yale University, and has co-founded a company that has licensed this IP.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The microRNA biogenesis pathway.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SNPs in microRNA promoters can prevent transcription factor binding and inhibit pri-microRNA transcription.
Figure 3
Figure 3
SNPs in pri-microRNA (A) or pre-microRNA (B) precursors can inhibit the processing of a tumor suppressor microRNA or can enhance the processing of an oncogenic microRNA.
Figure 4
Figure 4
SNPs in microRNA-target sites can either destroy an existing target site or create a target site in the wrong mRNA.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Publication types