Unexpected findings of variability in microRNAs suggest roles in human genetics

Abstract

Short RNA molecules were considered to be junk for decades, but in recent years they have been shown to have important functional roles. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in particular have attracted much attention. They have been assumed to be highly conserved in humans and other species; however, a recent study published in Genome Medicine reveals an unexpected level of variability in human miRNAs, including variations within the seed region. This challenges the current view of miRNAs, and may explain previous reports of pathogenic mutations in miRNAs.See research article http://genomemedicine.com/content/4/8/62/abstract

Role of non‑coding RNA in pancreatic cancer (Review)

“…Other studies found that miRNA precursors with increased expression were mir-22-1, −424, −301, −100, −376a, −125b-1, −021, −016-1, −181a, c, −092-1, −092-1, −212, −107, −024-l, 2, 1et-7f-1, 1et-7d, mir-345, −142-p, −139 (14,29). These results were similar to those of Volinia (30). Volinia (30) and Zhou et al (31) used endpoint immuno PCR to detect the expression of mir-196a in normal pancreatic cells, pancreatic duct epithelial neoplasms (PanIN, precancerous) cells and pancreatic cancer cells.…”

“…These results were similar to those of Volinia (30). Volinia (30) and Zhou et al (31) used endpoint immuno PCR to detect the expression of mir-196a in normal pancreatic cells, pancreatic duct epithelial neoplasms (PanIN, precancerous) cells and pancreatic cancer cells. It was found that, in normal pancreatic cells, mir-196a expression was not present; however, PanIN and all tumor cells showed positive expression of miR-196a, suggesting that mir-196a might indicate the carcinogenic transformation process of pancreatic cells.…”

“…It was found that, in normal pancreatic cells, mir-196a expression was not present; however, PanIN and all tumor cells showed positive expression of miR-196a, suggesting that mir-196a might indicate the carcinogenic transformation process of pancreatic cells. Volinia (30) and Yu et al (29) compared the differences in expression of miRNAs in the peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients and normal individuals, and found that mir-21, −92, −93, −126 and −29a were highly expressed in ovarian cancer. Xiong et al (11) and Yan et al (32) found that mir-184 was highly expressed in the peripheral blood of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.…”