Amirkhah Raheleh, Schmitz Ulf, Linnebacher Michael, Wolkenhauer Olaf, Farazmand Ali
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2015 Mar;54(3):129-41. doi: 10.1002/gcc.22231.
MicroRNAs (miRNA/miR) play an important role in gene regulatory networks through targeting mRNAs. They are involved in diverse biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Due to their pivotal effects on multiple genes and pathways, dysregulated miRNAs have been reported to be associated with different diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Recent evidence indicates that aberrant miRNA expression is tightly linked with the initiation and progression of CRC. To elucidate the influence of miRNA regulation in CRC, it is critical to identify dysregulated miRNAs, their target mRNA genes and their involvement in gene regulatory and signaling networks. Various experimental and computational studies have been conducted to decipher the function of miRNAs involved in CRC. Experimental studies that are used for this purpose can be classified into two categories: direct/individual and indirect/high-throughput gene expression studies. Here we review miRNA target identification studies related to CRC with an emphasis on experimental data based on Luciferase reporter assays. Recent advances in determining the function of miRNAs and the signaling pathways they are involved in have also been summarized. The review helps bioinformaticians and biologists to find extensive information about downstream targets of dysregulated miRNAs, and their pro-/anti-CRC effects.
微小RNA（miRNA/miR）通过靶向信使核糖核酸（mRNA）在基因调控网络中发挥重要作用。它们参与多种生物学过程，如细胞增殖、分化、血管生成和凋亡。由于它们对多个基因和信号通路具有关键作用，据报道，失调的miRNA与包括结直肠癌（CRC）在内的不同疾病有关。最近的证据表明，异常的miRNA表达与CRC的发生和发展密切相关。为了阐明miRNA调控在CRC中的影响，识别失调的miRNA、它们的靶mRNA基因以及它们在基因调控和信号网络中的参与情况至关重要。已经进行了各种实验和计算研究来破译参与CRC的miRNA的功能。用于此目的的实验研究可分为两类：直接/个体和间接/高通量基因表达研究。在这里，我们回顾了与CRC相关的miRNA靶标识别研究，重点是基于荧光素酶报告基因检测的实验数据。还总结了确定miRNA功能及其参与的信号通路方面的最新进展。这篇综述有助于生物信息学家和生物学家找到有关失调miRNA的下游靶标及其促/抗CRC作用的广泛信息。
