MicroRNAs as Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors

Recent discoveries related to microRNAs, RNA interference, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and small modulatory RNAs have revealed a new class of mechanisms of gene regulation that are mediated by small, noncoding RNAs. Among these small RNAs are the microRNAs. These are thought to control gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by degrading or repressing target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Surprisingly simple and elegant, microRNA-mediated gene regulation is guided by the base-pairing rules of Watson and Crick.MicroRNAs are individually encoded by their own set of genes and are an integral component of the genetic program. Some are located in noncoding regions . . .