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MicroRNA-Mediated Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer

  • Review
  • Published:
Pathology & Oncology Research

Abstract

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) program participates in tissue repair, embryogenesis and numerous pathological conditions, particularly cancer progression and tumor metastasis. A highly complex and strongly controlled post-transcriptionally regulated network of microRNAs (miRNAs) regulates the EMT process. miRNAs are critical parts of the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. A set of miRNAs target multiple components of major signaling pathways and downstream effectors of EMT. miRNAs associated with this process are involved in controlling tumor progression and invasiveness either as oncogenes or as tumor suppressors. Since several miRNAs directly affect EMT-related master regulators, they have been discovered to have the potential to be used as biomarkers or targets in EMT-based pathological conditions such as cancer. Therefore, comprehensive understanding of miRNA-EMT correlation with tumor metastatic spread may provide improvements to diagnostic tools or therapeutics for cancer. This review summarizes our current knowledge about some of these important miRNAs and focuses on their specific roles in regulation of the EMT process in cancer.

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Abbreviations

EMT:

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition

MET:

Mesenchymal to epithelial transition

EMT-TFs:

EMT transcription factors

TGF-β:

Transforming growth factor beta

miRNAs:

microRNAs

oncomiRs:

Oncogenic miRNAs

TSmiRs:

Tumor suppressor miRNAs

EGF:

Epidermal Growth Factor

FGF:

Fibroblast growth factor

HGF:

Hepatocyte Growth Factor

PDGF:

Platelet Derived Growth Factor

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

ZEB:

Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox

LIFR:

Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor

YAP:

Yes-associated protein

ATC:

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

hECSs:

Human embryonic stem cells

HNSCC:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

NSCLC:

Non-small cell lung cancer

CRC:

Colorectal cancer

PCa:

Prostate cancer

CEA:

Carcinoembryonic antigen

Let-7:

Lethal-7

RKIP:

Raf kinase inhibitory protein

3′-UTR:

3′-untranslated region

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all authors responsible for the insights we attempted to summarize. Dr. Sadegh Babashah is funded by the Iranian Council for Stem Cell Research and Technology Development (11/76089) and the Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran

    Golnoush Dehbashi Behbahani, Mohammad Amin Javidi, Asghar Farzi Molan & Sadegh Babashah

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

    Nastaran Mohammadi Ghahhari

  3. Laboratory of Influenza Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

    Neda Feizi

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  1. Golnoush Dehbashi Behbahani
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  2. Nastaran Mohammadi Ghahhari
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Correspondence to Sadegh Babashah.

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Behbahani, G.D., Ghahhari, N.M., Javidi, M.A. et al. MicroRNA-Mediated Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer. Pathol. Oncol. Res. 23, 1–12 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12253-016-0101-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12253-016-0101-6

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