Emerging role of microRNA 21 in cancer.
MicroRNAs (miRs) are a class of single stranded RNA molecules of 15 27 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression at the post translational level. miR 21 is one of the earliest identified cancer promoting 'oncomiRs' targeting numerous tumor suppressor genes associated with proliferation, apoptosis and invasion. The regulation of miR 21 and its role in carcinogenesis have been extensively investigated. Recent studies have focused on the diagnostic and prognostic value of miR 21 as well as its implication in the drug resistance of human malignancies. The further use of miR 21 as a biomarker and target for cancer treatments is likely to improve the outcome for patients with cancer. The present review highlights recent findings associated with the importance of miR 21 in hematological and non hematological malignancies.
Biomedical reports