The liver-specific microRNA miR-122: biology and therapeutic potential

Prog Drug Res. 2011:67:221-38.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate the expression of a large fraction of genes in animals, plants, and protozoa. miRNA-mediated gene repression occurs posttranscriptionally, generally by base-pairing to the 3'-untranslated regions of target mRNAs, which inhibits protein synthesis and destabilizes the mRNA. In this chapter, we discuss the biological functions of miR-122, a highly abundant, liver-specific miRNA. We will review how studies of miR-122 helped to establish important new paradigms of miRNA-mediated regulation, as well as identifying miR-122 as a factor implicated in important human diseases, including cancer and hepatitis C. We discuss antisense strategies targeting miR-122 as a potential therapeutic approach to treat hepatitis C and possibly other diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / therapy
  • Gene Silencing
  • Hepatitis C / etiology*
  • Hepatitis C / therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*

Substances

  • MIRN122 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs