Function of microRNA-145 and mechanisms underlying its role in malignant tumor diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Dong Ye,1,2 Zhisen Shen,2 Shuihong Zhou1 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; 2Department of Otorhinolaryngology –Head and Neck Surgery, Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Abstract: miRNAs are single-stranded small RNAs that do not encode proteins. They can combine complementarily with the 3’-UTRs of target gene mRNA molecules to promote targeted mRNA degradation or inhibit mRNA translation, thereby regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs participate in regulation of cell cycling, growth, apoptosis, differentiation, and stress responses. MiRNA-145 (miR-145) is a tumor suppressor that targets various tumor-specific genes and proteins, thereby influencing related signaling pathways. MiR-145 not only regulates tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis, but is also important for tumor angiogenesis and tumor stem cell proliferation. Here, we review the roles and mechanisms of miR-145 in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors. Published data confirm that miR-145 expression in various tumors is significantly lower than that in normal tissues and that overexpression of miR-145 inhibits the growth of different tumor cells, significantly reduces the ability of tumors to spread, and improves sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. We conclude that miR-145 is a potential marker for use in the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of patients with cancer, has a role as a tumor suppressor, and is a promising cancer treatment target candidate. Keywords: miRNA-145, tumor, proliferation, metastasis, mechanism

Keywords

• miRNA-145
• tumor
• proliferation
• metastasis
• mechanism