What is microRNA therapy?

What is microRNA therapy?

MicroRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics can be divided into miRNA mimics and inhibitors of miRNAs (also known as antimiRs). miRNA mimics are synthetic double-stranded small RNA molecules that match the corresponding miRNA sequence and therefore functionally aim to replenish the lost miRNA expression in diseases.

What is miRNA and how does it work?

miRNAs (microRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. They generally bind to the 3′-UTR (untranslated region) of their target mRNAs and repress protein production by destabilizing the mRNA and translational silencing.

Is microRNA gene therapy?

Combining miRNA regulation with gene therapy allows targeted and potent expression of transgenes. Such ‘de-targeting’ strategies incorporate miRNA target sites in the 3′ UTR of the therapeutic transgene, preventing its expression in cells that express the corresponding miRNA.

Is siRNA endogenous?

Endogenous short interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs) have recently emerged as versatile regulators of gene expression. In Caenorhabditis elegans, endo-siRNAs are known as 22G and 26G RNAs and are involved in genome protection and gene regulation.

What is the function of miR-221?

MicroRNAs function to regulate the expression levels of other genes by several mechanisms. mir-221 is an oncogenic microRNA. It targets CD117, which then prevents cell migration and proliferation in endothelial cells. miR-221 is known as an anti angiogenic miRNA.

Is miR-221 an invasive screening marker for colon cancer?

In liver cancer miR-221 induces the tumor angiogenesis. miR-221 detection in human faeces can be a non-invasive screening marker for colorectal cancer. ^ Pang, Y; Young, CY; Yuan, H (15 June 2010).

Is miR-221 involved in angiogenesis in liver cancer?

miR-221 is known as an anti angiogenic miRNA. Recent important studies have reported that miR-221 is also involved in induction of angiogenesis. RNA induced Silencing Complex (RISC) proteins SND1 and AEG-1 induces miR-221 expression in Liver cancer. In liver cancer miR-221 induces the tumor angiogenesis.