MicroRNAs: Novel Biomarkers for Human Cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small RNA molecules of approximately 22 nucleotides, have been shown to be up-or downregulated in specific cell types and disease states. These molecules have become recognized as one of the major regulatory gatekeepers of coding genes in the human genome.CONTENT: We review the structure, nomenclature, mechanism of action, technologies used for miRNA detection, and associations of miRNAs with human cancer. miRNAs are produced in a tissue-specific manner, and changes in miRNA within a tissue type can be correlated with disease status. miRNAs appear to regulate mRNA translation and degradation via mechanisms that are dependent on the degree of complementarity between the miRNA and mRNA molecules. miRNAs can be detected via several methods, such as microarrays, bead-based arrays, and quantitative real-time PCR. The tissue concentrations of specific miRNAs have been associated with tumor invasiveness, metastatic potential, and other clinical characteristics for several types of cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and breast, colorectal, hepatic, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.

Characterization of the MicroRNA Expression Profile of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Metastases

“…This sequence-specific binding leads to target mRNA degradation or repression of its translation, consequently decreasing encoded protein levels (Lee et al, 1993;Bagga et al, 2005). In fact, miRNAs have already been implicated as regulators of many physiological and pathological processes, including development, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and tumor progression and metastasis (Bartel et al, 2004;He et al, 2004;Esquela-Kerscher et al, 2006;Negrini et al, 2008;Tavazoie et al, 2008;Bartels et al, 2009;Garzon et al, 2009). However, the role of miRNAs in cervical cancer metastasis and the precise mechanism of its action in these tumor types remain largely unexplored.…”

Traumatic Penumbra: Opportunities for Neuroprotective and Neurorestorative Processes

“…The use of miRNA as biomarkers of brain injury in the serum or CSF could serve as tools for both diagnosing and stratifying TBI severity. As a biomarker of pathologic process, miRNA have several unique features, including cell-, tissue-, and disease-specific expression patterns [192,193]. Studies of CSF in a rat model of mild blast TBI found a significant increase in levels of one miRNA, miR-let-7i, as early as 3 hours post injury [194].…”

Effects of Multiple-target Anti-microRNA Antisense Oligodeoxyribonucleotides on Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells

“…In addition, miRNA expression profiling of tumors in digestive organs has been identified through signatures associated with diagnosis, staging, progression, prognosis and response to treatment (Schetter et al, 2008;Bartels et al, 2009;Wang et al, 2009).…”