DNA Hypermutation and Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain.
Curr Opin Immunol. 2011 Jun;23(3):368-73. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2011.02.001. Epub 2011 Feb 24.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous, non-coding regulatory RNAs that control gene regulation by guiding silencing protein complexes to mRNA in a sequence-dependent manner. In this way miRNAs are able to repress gene expression post-transcriptionally by affecting mRNA stability or translation. These ubiquitous molecules play central roles in a wide range of biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Within the context of the immune system, genetic studies have identified distinct roles for specific miRNAs in gene regulation during development, activation and maturation. Conversely, dysregulation of miRNA expression has been specifically correlated with cancer. This review outlines our current understanding of miRNA function in lymphocytes as it impacts expression of protein-coding genes in the context of proper development, as well as oncogenesis.
微小 RNA(miRNAs)是一类内源性、非编码的调控 RNA,通过引导沉默蛋白复合物以序列依赖性方式与 mRNA 结合,从而控制基因调控。这样,miRNAs 能够通过影响 mRNA 的稳定性或翻译来在转录后抑制基因表达。这些普遍存在的分子在广泛的生物学过程中发挥着核心作用,包括细胞增殖、分化和凋亡。在免疫系统中,遗传研究已经确定了特定 miRNAs 在发育、激活和成熟过程中基因调控中的特定作用。相反,miRNA 表达的失调与癌症有明确的相关性。这篇综述概述了我们目前对淋巴细胞中 miRNA 功能的理解,以及它在适当发育以及致癌过程中对蛋白质编码基因表达的影响。