microRNA-26a

microRNA-26a is a naturally occurring small non-coding RNA that functions as a potent tumor suppressor in various malignancies, most notably hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It exerts its therapeutic effect by binding to the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of specific oncogenic messenger RNAs, leading to their degradation or translational inhibition. Key targets include cell cycle regulators such as Cyclin D2 (CCND2) and Cyclin E2 (CCNE2), as well as the epigenetic modulator EZH2. In HCC, miR-26a expression is frequently lost, and its restoration via nanoparticle-mediated delivery or viral vectors has demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity in preclinical models by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Research is currently focused on optimizing delivery systems to overcome the rapid degradation and poor cellular uptake of naked miRNA.

Other names

miR-26amiR26amiR 26amiRNA-26amiRNA26amiRNA 26ahsa-miR-26a-5phsa-miR26a-5phsa-miR 26a-5p