Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore 117599, Singapore.
Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Biomolecules. 2022 Jun 3;12(6):781. doi: 10.3390/biom12060781.
Over two decades of studies on small noncoding RNA molecules illustrate the significance of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in controlling multiple physiological and pathological functions through post-transcriptional and spatiotemporal gene expression. Among the plethora of miRs that are essential during animal embryonic development, in this review, we elaborate the indispensable role of the miR-200 family (comprising miR-200a, -200b, 200c, -141, and -429) in governing the cellular functions associated with epithelial homeostasis, such as epithelial differentiation and neurogenesis. Additionally, in pathological contexts, miR-200 family members are primarily involved in tumor-suppressive roles, including the reversal of the cancer-associated epithelial-mesenchymal transition dedifferentiation process, and are dysregulated during organ fibrosis. Moreover, recent eminent studies have elucidated the crucial roles of miR-200s in the pathophysiology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases and tissue fibrosis. Lastly, we summarize the key studies that have recognized the potential use of miR-200 members as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, elaborating the application of these small biomolecules in aiding early cancer detection and intervention.
二十多年来对小非编码 RNA 分子的研究表明，microRNAs（miRNAs/miRs）通过转录后和时空基因表达控制多种生理和病理功能的重要性。在动物胚胎发育过程中必不可少的众多 miR 中，我们详细阐述了 miR-200 家族（包括 miR-200a、-200b、200c、-141 和 -429）在调节与上皮细胞稳态相关的细胞功能中的不可或缺的作用，例如上皮细胞分化和神经发生。此外，在病理情况下，miR-200 家族成员主要参与肿瘤抑制作用，包括逆转与癌症相关的上皮-间充质转化去分化过程，并在器官纤维化过程中失调。此外，最近的杰出研究阐明了 miR-200 在多种神经退行性疾病和组织纤维化的病理生理学中的关键作用。最后，我们总结了一些关键研究，这些研究已经认识到 miR-200 成员作为癌症诊断和预后的生物标志物的潜在用途，阐述了这些小分子在辅助早期癌症检测和干预方面的应用。
