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Review
. 2012 Fall;1(4):178-84.

Cellular Response to Ionizing Radiation: A MicroRNA Story

Affiliations
Review

Cellular Response to Ionizing Radiation: A MicroRNA Story

Mohammad Halimi et al. Int J Mol Cell Med. 2012 Fall.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. They play a crucial role in diverse cellular pathways. Ionizing radiation (IR) is one of the most important treatment protocols for patients that suffer from cancer and affects directly or indirectly cellular integration. Recently it has been discovered that microRNA-mediated gene regulation interferes with radio-related pathways in ionizing radiation. Here, we review the recent discoveries about miRNAs in cellular response to IR. Thoroughly understanding the mechanism of miRNAs in radiation response, it will be possible to design new strategies for improving radiotherapy efficiency and ultimately cancer treatment.

Keywords: Cellular response; ionizing radiation; microRNA.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
ATM associated miRNAs. After ionizing radiation and DSB, MRN complex binds to broken ends of DNA, then recruits and activates ATM. MiR-101 and miR-421 are suppressors of ATM expression. This information is resulted from references (21-26)
Fig 2
Fig 2
DSB activates p21 that inhibits cell proliferation by inactivating CDK-Cycline complexes (A). p53 induces miR-34a/b/c, miR-192 and miR-215 transcription. These miRNAs inhibit cell proliferation by downregulating CDC2, MAD2L1, CDK-Cycline and BCL2 (B) (27-36)
Fig 3
Fig 3
A simplified working model for p53-associated miRNAs. See text for more information (37-42)
Fig 4
Fig 4
A simplified working model for role of miRNAs in radiation induced signal transduction pathways. See text for more explanation (43-54).

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