Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of miR-493 in Cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved short noncoding RNAs with the capacity of regulating gene expression posttranscriptionally. In this process, miRNAs partially bind complementary sites of target mRNAs. Among miRNAs, miR-493 performs important functions under diverse physiological conditions and participates in different pathogeneses, including pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer. Differential expression of miR-493 plays a vital role in the generation, metastasis, and recurrence of tumors. Above all, increasing evidence indicates that miR-493 inhibits the generation and development of tumors by activating the Wnt/Β-catenin, Wnt/PCP, MEK/ERK, or PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, suggesting possibilities for miR-493 as an effective adjuvant cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss and summarize the biological mechanisms of miR-493 and its potential in cancer therapy. This review may provide a better understanding of the biological functions of miR-493 in tumors and provide important clues to cancer treatment.