MicroRNA in Cancers
A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 March 2024) | Viewed by 9988
Special Issue Editor
Interests: gene regulation; computational biology; bioinformatics; genomics; algorithms
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small single-stranded noncoding RNAs, with the typical length distribution of 19 to 25 (sometimes 18 to 35), and an average length of 21–22 nucleotides. Typical miRNAs are transcribed from DNA sequence segments into primary miRNAs, then processed into precursor miRNAs, and finally mature miRNAs. Mature miRNAs modulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level as endogenous suppressors of the translation of coding genes, by translational inhibition and subsequent degradation of target mRNAs. They fulfill this function mostly by binding through base-pairing to specific sequence motifs located within the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA transcripts, although some may also bind to other regions, including the 5′ UTR, coding sequence, and gene promoters. miRNA/mRNA binding is dynamic process dependent on many factors, such as their mutual affinity, concentration, and subcellular location. miRNAs can be transported out of their native cell to target other cells via vesicles, such as exosomes, or by binding to proteins, including Argonautes. They appear to target about 60% of the genes of humans and other mammals and are related to many cell processes, such as development, differentiation, growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses. miRNAs are also known to be associated with the diagnosis, classification, progression, and prognosis of many human diseases. The most remarkable are various heart and kidney diseases, stroke, obesity, and several types of cancer (chronic lymphocytic leukemia, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and more). Therefore, “oncomirs” can be considered potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and as therapeutic targets.
In this Special Issue, we would like to invite submissions of original research articles and review articles focused on miRNAs, in particular, on their functions, regulatory mechanisms, and applications, specifically those related to cancer. We also welcome studies that highlight new technologies, new analysis platforms, new animal models, and new manipulation tools for the study of “oncomirs”.
Dr. Ilya Ioshikhes
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- noncoding RNAs
- gene silencing
- microRNA
- cancer
- diagnosis
