Homo sapiens microRNA-221-3p (hsa-miR-221-3p) (hsa-miR-221-3p)

Homo sapiens microRNA-221-3p (hsa-miR-221-3p) is a highly conserved, small non-coding RNA that functions as a key post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression. Located on the X chromosome within the miR-221/222 cluster, it is frequently characterized as an "oncomiR" due to its significant overexpression in a wide array of human malignancies, including glioblastoma, melanoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma [PubMed: 23563139]. Its primary oncogenic mechanism involves the direct targeting and suppression of tumor suppressor genes such as p27/Kip1, p57, and PTEN, which leads to accelerated cell cycle progression and evasion of apoptosis [PubMed: 16633350]. In addition to its role in oncology, miR-221-3p is a critical regulator of vascular biology, influencing endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis by modulating the c-Kit signaling pathway [PubMed: 17928350]. Therapeutic development focuses on the use of antisense oligonucleotides and antagomirs to neutralize miR-221-3p activity, aiming to restore the expression of its suppressed targets in diseased tissues [PubMed: 22158114]. While promising, the clinical application of miR-221-3p inhibitors is currently challenged by the need for efficient tissue-specific delivery and the management of potential off-target effects [PubMed: 28232467].

Other names

miR-221MIR221hsa-miR-221MicroRNA 221

Antisense inhibition via sequence-specific binding to mature miRNA, preventing its incorporation into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and subsequent target mRNA degradation or translational repression [PubMed: 21454424].