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Review
. 2014;15(9):445.
doi: 10.1186/s13059-014-0445-8.

MicroRNA regulation of tumorigenesis, cancer progression and interpatient heterogeneity: towards clinical use

S Patrick Nana-Sinkam, Carlo M Croce
Review

MicroRNA regulation of tumorigenesis, cancer progression and interpatient heterogeneity: towards clinical use

S Patrick Nana-Sinkam et al. Genome Biol. 2014.

Abstract

In the past two decades, microRNAs have emerged as crucial mediators of organ development and human disease. Here, we discuss their role as drivers or suppressors of the hallmarks of cancer during tumorigenesis and progression, in defining interpatient heterogeneity and the promise of therapeutic application.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MicroRNA processing. During microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, a primary miRNA transcript (pri-miRNA) is generated by an RNA polymerase (Pol) II (or III, not shown). This is followed by cleavage of the pri-miRNA by the microprocessor complex Drosha-DGCR8 (Pasha). This results in generation of the pre-miRNA, which is then exported from the nucleus by Exportin-5-Ran-GTP. Once in the cytoplasm, the RNase Dicer induces cleavage of the pre-miRNA hairpin to a double stranded mature length. The functional strand of the mature miRNA is loaded together with Argonaute (Ago2) proteins into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). This complex then guides the miRNA to target mRNAs for mRNA cleavage, translational repression or deadenylation. ORF, open reading frame; TRBP, trans-activation response RNA-binding protein.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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