MiRNAs Action and Impact on Mitochondria Function, Metabolic Reprogramming and Chemoresistance of Cancer Cells: A Systematic Review

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function and homeostasis, and in the modulation of cell metabolism, by targeting known oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes of metabolic-related signaling pathways involved in the hallmarks of cancer. This systematic review focuses on articles describing the role, association, and/or involvement of miRNAs in regulating the mitochondrial function and metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells. Following the PRISMA guidelines, the articles reviewed were published from January 2010 to September 2022, with the search terms “mitochondrial microRNA” and its synonyms (mitochondrial microRNA, mitochondrial miRNA, mito microRNA, or mitomiR), “reprogramming metabolism,” and “cancer” in the title or abstract). Thirty-six original research articles were selected, revealing 51 miRNAs with altered expression in 12 cancers: bladder, breast, cervical, colon, colorectal, liver, lung, melanoma, osteosarcoma, pancreatic, prostate, and tongue. The actions of miRNAs and their corresponding target genes have been reported mainly in cell metabolic processes, mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, apoptosis, redox signaling, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Altogether, these studies support the role of miRNAs in the metabolic reprogramming hallmark of cancer cells and highlight their potential as predictive molecular markers of treatment response and/or targets that can be used for therapeutic intervention.

Mitochondrial fusion–fission dynamics and its involvement in colorectal cancer

“…2A ). miRNAs and their corresponding target genes are involved in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics, metabolic reprogramming, and chemotherapy resistance [ 49 ]. These studies further support the role of miRNAs in regulating mitochondrial function and homeostasis, highlighting their potential as predictive molecules for CRC treatment response [ 47 , 48 ].…”

Sickle Cell Disease Update: New Treatments and Challenging Nutritional Interventions

“…MicroRNAs, which are short noncoding genetic material implicated in the modulation of mitochondrial activity and homeostasis, also contribute to the readjustment of cell metabolism, offering a new perspective on the regulation of gene expression following transcription [ 73 ]. They act by enhancing the activity of apoptosis-inducing factors and by targeting and eventually silencing specific genes.…”

“…They act by enhancing the activity of apoptosis-inducing factors and by targeting and eventually silencing specific genes. This silencing process involves known oncogenes and disease suppressor genes related to metabolic signaling pathways and is associated with genetic disorders [ 73 , 74 ].…”

miR-199a-5p targets DUSP14 to regulate cell proliferation, invasion and stemness in non-small cell lung cancer

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent the endogenous non-coding RNAs responsible for regulating post-transcriptional gene levels [ 3 ]. They can bind to complementary sequences in 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) in target mRNAs, leading to mRNA translation inhibition or degradation [ 4 ]. Numerous studies have reported that miRNAs are important for tumor occurrence and development, like cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, stemness, or other malignant processes [ 5 , 6 ].…”