The miRNAs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancers
Journal
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Journal Volume
20
Journal Issue
33
Pages
5309-5318
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial tumor cells acquire migratory and invasive abilities that enable them to spread to other organs. During this process, the tight junction molecule, E-cadherin, is often downregulated through transcription repression by the EMT-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules which bind to the complementary sequences within mRNA molecules. They post-transcriptionally govern gene silencing, thus affecting a broad range of physiological conditions, including EMT. In this review, we will discuss some well-known as well as brand-new EMT-related miRNAs and the signaling pathways in the tumor milieu that regulate their expressions and control cancer invasion and metastasis. Finally, we will discuss the application of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for treatment of cancer. ? 2014 Bentham Science Publishers.
Subjects
Cancers; EMT; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; miRNAs
SDGs
Other Subjects
microRNA; microRNA 200; microRNA 203; microRNA 580; microRNA let 7; small untranslated RNA; transcription factor; unclassified drug; uvomorulin; microRNA; Article; cancer therapy; carcinogenesis; drug design; drug targeting; epigenetics; epithelial mesenchymal transition; gene expression; gene repression; gene silencing; Hippo pathway; human; hypoxia; inflammation; malignant neoplastic disease; metastasis; molecular biology; nonhuman; priority journal; regulatory mechanism; signal transduction; tight junction; transcription regulation; tumor invasion; animal; genetics; metabolism; Neoplasms; Animals; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Humans; MicroRNAs; Neoplasms
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers B.V.
Type
journal article