MicroRNA-10a (miR-10a)

MicroRNA-10a is a highly conserved, short non-coding RNA molecule of the microRNA class, encoded as part of the miR-10 precursor family. It plays a crucial role in post-transcriptional gene regulation by binding to complementary sites in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, repressing their translation, with validated targets including HOXA1, HOXA3, and NCOR2. Unusually, miR-10a can enhance rather than suppress the translation of specific mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins by binding to their 5′UTR region, impacting global protein synthesis. Biologically, miR-10a is critical for cell differentiation (notably in neural and granulosa cells), development (especially via regulation of HOX transcription factors), cell proliferation, and modulation of inflammation through the NF-κB pathway. Pathologically, miR-10a can function as an oncogene (e.g., granulosa cell tumors) or tumor suppressor (e.g., gastric cancer), and its regulation/dysregulation is relevant to cardiovascular disease, various cancers, and developmental biology. Therapeutically, it is considered a target for miRNA-based therapies, with potential biomarker applications in cancer and cardiovascular disease, though challenges remain due to broad regulatory effects and context-dependent function.

Other names

MIR10Ahsa-mir-10aMIRN10AmiRNA10Amir-10a

Drugs/compounds may inhibit or mimic miR-10a to affect its regulatory actions on target mRNAs (e.g., HOXA1, PTEN, NCOR2, MAP3K7/TAK1, βTRC). Epigenetic agents (such as AZA) can restore silenced miR-10a expression via demethylation. Modulation of signaling pathways by altering translation or repression of target genes (e.g., PI3K/AKT, Wnt, NF-κB).