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Biogenesis and Physiology of MicroRNAs

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Non-coding RNAs and Cancer

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs 17–25 nucleotides long that control gene expression by promoting degradation or repressing translation of target mRNAs. Since each miRNA regulates the expression of hundreds of target mRNAs, miRNAs can be seen as master-coordinators, efficiently regulating fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and development. MiRNAs are synthesized in the cell through a multistep coordinated process that starts in the nucleus and proceeds to the cytoplasm culminating with the production of the biological active form, the miRNA. This maturation process consists of a series of biochemical steps that convert the primary miRNA transcript into an intermediate precursor miRNA hairpin and culminates with the formation of the mature miRNA. The spatiotemporal control of miRNA abundance is made possible, in part, by the regulation of its biosynthesis pathway, where alterations can lead to global miRNA deregulation. Since miRNAs are involved in a broad range of developmental and physiological processes their deregulation appears to play a fundamental role in the onset, progression, and dissemination of many cancers as well as in many other human diseases.

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Acknowledgment

We would like to show our special thanks to Dr. Nuno Barros for the design of the figures in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gene Regulation, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam, 1066 CX, The Netherlands

    Carlos A. Melo

  2. Doctoral Program in Biomedicine and Experimental Biology, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3030, Portugal

    Carlos A. Melo

  3. Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Sonia A. Melo

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Correspondence to Sonia A. Melo .

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  1. Pediatrics and Molecular Microbiology &, University of Southern California Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Muller Fabbri

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Melo, C.A., Melo, S.A. (2014). Biogenesis and Physiology of MicroRNAs. In: Fabbri, M. (eds) Non-coding RNAs and Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8444-8_2

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