Özet:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs of 19–24 nucleotides in length that were discovered 12 years ago by Victor Ambros and colleagues. They are important regulatory molecules in animals and plants. MicroRNAs are downregulate gene expression during various crucial cell processes such as apoptosis, differentiation and development. In addition, some miRNAs may function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. More than 50% of miRNA genes are located in cancer-associated genomic regions or in fragile sites. Overexpressed miRNAs in cancers, such as mir17−92, may function as oncogenes and promote cancer development by negatively regulating tumor suppressor genes and genes that control cell differentiation or apoptosis. Underexpressed miRNAs in cancers, such as let−7, function as tumor suppressor genes and may inhibit cancers by regulating oncogenes and genes that control cell differentiation or apoptosis. miRNA expression profiles may become useful biomarkers for cancer diagnostics.

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