Epigenetic regulation of miRNA genes in acute leukemia
- 6 December 2011
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Leukemia
- Vol. 26 (3), 395-403
- https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2011.344
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that can negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. miRNA expression patterns are regulated during development and differentiation of the hematopoietic system and have an important role in cell processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation or even in tumorigenesis of human tumors and in particular of hematological malignancies such as acute leukemias. Various miRNAs and their functions have been intensively studied in acute leukemias but the mechanisms that control their expression are largely unknown for the majority of aberrantly expressed miRNAs. miRNA expression can be regulated by the same genetic mechanism that modulate protein coding genes such as mutation, deletion, amplification, loss of heterozygosity and translocations. In this review we focus on the regulation of miRNAs in acute leukemias mediated by alterations in epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone code, describing the role of these alterations in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis of acute leukemias and their possible use as new therapeutic targets and biomarkers.Keywords
This publication has 102 references indexed in Scilit:
- Coordinated Regulation of Polycomb Group Complexes through microRNAs in CancerCancer Cell, 2011
- Functional implications of microRNAs in acute myeloid leukemia by integrating microRNA and messenger RNA expression profilingCancer, 2011
- DNA Methylation Signatures Identify Biologically Distinct Subtypes in Acute Myeloid LeukemiaCancer Cell, 2010
- Genetic and Epigenetic Silencing of MicroRNA-203 Enhances ABL1 and BCR-ABL1 Oncogene ExpressionCancer Cell, 2008
- Transactivation of miR-34a by p53 Broadly Influences Gene Expression and Promotes ApoptosisMolecular Cell, 2007
- A microRNA component of the p53 tumour suppressor networkNature, 2007
- The Epigenomics of CancerCell, 2007
- A stem cell–like chromatin pattern may predispose tumor suppressor genes to DNA hypermethylation and heritable silencingNature Genetics, 2007
- Control of Developmental Regulators by Polycomb in Human Embryonic Stem CellsCell, 2006
- MicroRNA expression profiles classify human cancersNature, 2005