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Review
. 2023 Mar;25(3):563-577.
doi: 10.1007/s12094-022-02978-6. Epub 2022 Nov 10.

MiR-29a-3p: a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer

Affiliations
Free PMC article
Review

MiR-29a-3p: a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer

Wen-Yan Mo et al. Clin Transl Oncol. 2023 Mar.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Cancer is frequently caused by microRNAs, which control post-transcriptional levels of gene expression by binding to target mRNAs. MiR-29a-3p has recently been shown to play a twofold function in the majority of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC), according to mounting evidence. Here, we not only briefly summarize such connection between miR-29a-3p and cancers, but aslo primarily evaluate the miR-29a-3p expression pattern, clinical applicability, and molecular mechanisms in CRC to provide a guide for future studies. This review established the diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-29a-3p abnormalty in a variety of clinical samples for CRC. Furthermore, current molecular mechanisms of miR-29a-3p for regulating cancerous biological processes such growth, invasion, metastasis, the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation process, and immunomodulation through its upstream regulatory factors and downstream targeted genes were briefly explored. More specifically, miR-29a-3p has been linked to a few medications that have been shown to have anticancer benefits. To sum up, miR-29a-3p is a promising biomarker and prospective therapeutic target for the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC, but further research is still needed to establish a theoretical basis for more practical applications.

Keywords: Biomarker; Colorectal cancer; MiR-29a-3p; Molecular mechanisms; Therapeutic target.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic illustration of the miR-29a-3p family members focusing on location (A) and sequence (B). Seed sequence at position 2–8 nt (red box) is important for pairing with target messenger RNAs in the miR-29-3p family. Tri-uracil instability sequence at position 9–11 nt (blue box) presents in miR-29b-3p and miR-29c-3p. Nuclear localization sequence at position 18–23 nt (purple box) only exists in miR-29b-3p. Abbreviation: nt, nucleotide
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
miR-29a-3p biogenesis. In the nucleus, RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) performs the initial transcription of miR-29a-3p to create a pri-miR-29a-3p transcript. Drosha, an RNase III enzyme, and DGCR8, a double-stranded RNA-binding protein, then convert the pri-miR-29a-3p transcript into pre-miR-29a-3p, an incomplete stem-loop RNA (64 nucleotides in length). Notably, pre-miR-29a-3p is exported into the cytoplasm by the RAN-GTP dependent transporter exportin 5, and processed by Dicer into miR-29a-3p duplex (a double-stranded miRNA of 22 nucleotides in length). The mature miR-29a-3p (a single-stranded miRNA of 22 nucleotides in length) is created once this dsRNA is unlocked. Mature miR-29a-3p binds to the 3'UTRs of mRNA targets and represses their production in two different ways after being integrated with Argonaute proteins into the RISC complex. This image was created using Figdraw. Available online: https://www.figdraw.com. pri-miR-29a-3p Primary miR-29a-3p, pre-miR-29a-3p precursor miR-29a-3p, DGCR8 The double-stranded RNA-binding protein, mRNA Messenger RNA, 3’UTRs 3’Untranslated regions, RISC MiRNA-induced silencing complex
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
miR-29a-3p-related downstream and upstream genes and biological functions in CRC

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