miRNA interplay: mechanisms and consequences in cancer

Dis Model Mech. 2021 Apr 1;14(4):dmm047662. doi: 10.1242/dmm.047662. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Abstract

Canonically, microRNAs (miRNAs) control mRNA expression. However, studies have shown that miRNAs are also capable of targeting non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs and miRNAs. The latter, termed a miRNA:miRNA interaction, is a form of self-regulation. In this Review, we discuss the three main modes of miRNA:miRNA regulation: direct, indirect and global interactions, and their implications in cancer biology. We also discuss the cell-type-specific nature of miRNA:miRNA interactions, current experimental approaches and bioinformatic techniques, and how these strategies are not sufficient for the identification of novel miRNA:miRNA interactions. The self-regulation of miRNAs and their impact on gene regulation has yet to be fully understood. Investigating this hidden world of miRNA self-regulation will assist in discovering novel regulatory mechanisms associated with disease pathways.

Keywords: RNA regulation; miRNA regulation; miRNA:miRNA interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Transcription Factors