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Biogenesis, evolution and functional targets of microRNA-125a

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Abstract

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional level by inhibiting translation of complementary mRNAs and/or targeting them for degradation. MicroRNAs play crucial roles in development, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. In addition, recent studies indicate that they are important regulators of virus–host interactions. MicroRNA-125a is a homolog of C. elegans lin-4, the first discovered microRNA, shown to dictate the onset of larval stages in the nematode. In this review, we focus on the gene structure of microRNA-125a, its evolution, its expression pattern in mammalian organs and tissues, and its functional targets. Overall, the available data indicate that microRNA-125a plays crucial roles both in development and in the adult tissues. In fact, it (1) contributes to the control of phase transitions in development and/or cell differentiation; (2) regulates the expression of several target proteins that are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration; (3) interferes with the expression of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen in liver cells, thus counteracting viral replication. These findings suggest that delivery of microRNA-125a mimics or treatments that modulate its cellular expression may be valuable tools for the development of new therapeutic strategies for human diseases, including cancer and viral hepatitis B.

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Abbreviations

miRNA:

MicroRNA

pre-miRNA:

MicroRNA precursor

RISC:

RNA-induced silencing complex

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

HBV:

Hepatitis B virus

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  1. Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy

    Nicoletta Potenza & Aniello Russo

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  1. Nicoletta Potenza
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  2. Aniello Russo
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Correspondence to Nicoletta Potenza or Aniello Russo.

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Communicated by J. Graw.

N. Potenza and A. Russo have contributed equally.

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Potenza, N., Russo, A. Biogenesis, evolution and functional targets of microRNA-125a. Mol Genet Genomics 288, 381–389 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-013-0757-5

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