Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Padua, viale Colombo 3, 35100 Padua, Italy.
Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2010 Apr;11(4):252-63. doi: 10.1038/nrm2868. Epub 2010 Mar 10.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are integral elements in the post-transcriptional control of gene expression. After the identification of hundreds of miRNAs, the challenge is now to understand their specific biological function. Signalling pathways are ideal candidates for miRNA-mediated regulation owing to the sharp dose-sensitive nature of their effects. Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs affect the responsiveness of cells to signalling molecules such as transforming growth factor-beta, WNT, Notch and epidermal growth factor. As such, miRNAs serve as nodes of signalling networks that ensure homeostasis and regulate cancer, metastasis, fibrosis and stem cell biology.
微小 RNA（miRNA）是基因表达转录后调控的重要组成部分。在鉴定了数百种 miRNA 之后，现在的挑战是了解它们的具体生物学功能。由于其作用具有明显的剂量敏感性，信号通路是 miRNA 介导调控的理想候选途径。事实上，越来越多的证据表明，miRNA 影响细胞对转化生长因子-β、WNT、Notch 和表皮生长因子等信号分子的反应性。因此，miRNA 作为信号网络的节点，确保了细胞的内稳态，并调节了癌症、转移、纤维化和干细胞生物学。
