MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules, approximately 22 nucleotides in length that regulate gene translation through silencing or degradation of target mRNAs. They are involved in multiple biological processes, including differentiation and proliferation, metabolism, hemostasis, apoptosis or inflammation, and in pathophysiology of many diseases. Numerous studies have suggested circulating miRNAs as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of many diseases.
miR-129-5p is a member of miR-129 family and is located in a fragile site in chromosome 7q32. miR-129-5p has been reported as a tumor suppressor in many types of carcinoma, including breast cancer, colon cancer, osteosarcoma, lung cancer and was also identified as one of the miRNAs that exerted a potent anti-proliferative effect on hepatocellular carcinoma growth. Some researchers have reported that miR-129-5p directly targets DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and functions as a tumor suppressor in glioma. Furthermore, it has been shown that miR-129-5p was downregulated both in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Lower miR-129-5p expression was associated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. In addition, miR-129-5p overexpression reduced cell proliferation and invasion capacities in vitro through targeting ADAM9. Further investigation indicated that miR-129-5p inhibits glucose metabolism in gastric cancer cells.
Besides cancer, miR-129-5p was reported to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Expression of miR-129-5p is enriched in developing brain and in neurons, suggesting an important role for miR-129-5p in the maintenance of neuronal function and homeostasis. Moreover, mir-129-5p was identified as a biomarker of heart failure in univentricular heart disease. It was demonstrated that there is an inverse relationship between levels of miR129-5p in circulating microvesicles and the degree of heart failure in pediatric patients with univentricular heart disease.
- References to miR-129-5p