Homo sapiens microRNA let-7b-5p (hsa-let-7b-5p)

hsa-let-7b-5p is a mature microRNA belonging to the highly conserved let-7 family, which is essential for developmental timing and tumor suppression in humans (miRBase, 2024). It functions as a post-transcriptional regulator by binding to the 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of target messenger RNAs, leading to translational repression or mRNA degradation (NIH, 2023). In various malignancies, including lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers, hsa-let-7b-5p is frequently downregulated and acts as a tumor suppressor by targeting oncogenes such as HMGA2, HK2, and FOXM1 (NIH, 2025; ResearchGate, 2017). Beyond oncology, it is involved in cardiovascular health, where its exosomal levels serve as a biomarker for coronary heart disease severity, and in infectious diseases like COVID-19 by regulating ACE2 and DPP4 expression (NIH, 2022; NIH, 2023). Therapeutic approaches currently focus on the use of synthetic miRNA mimics to restore its tumor-suppressive activity or antagomirs to modulate its expression in inflammatory and metabolic conditions (PNAS, 2021; MedChemExpress, 2024). However, the clinical application of these agents faces challenges such as ensuring stable delivery and managing potential off-target effects across its extensive regulatory network (JensenLab, 2023).

Other names

miR-let-7b-5plet-7b-5phsa-miR-let-7bMIRLET7BMIMAT0000063

Binds to the 3'-untranslated region (3' UTR) of target mRNAs to induce translational repression or mRNA degradation.