MicroRNA 125a (miR-125a)

MicroRNA 125a is a highly conserved microRNA (small non-coding RNA molecule) encoded within a human intronic cluster on chromosome 19[1][3]. It regulates gene expression post-transcriptionally—mainly by binding to the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of target mRNAs—thereby silencing or degrading them[1][5]. MiR-125a is implicated in a wide array of biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune response regulation[1][2][3][5]. It functions as both a tumor suppressor and (less commonly) an oncogenic modulator, depending on cellular context and disease state[1][3][4]. Notably, it acts as a critical regulator in hematopoiesis, particularly for the development of neutrophils via targeting the SOCS3 gene[5], and has important roles in the regulation of inflammation and vascular endothelial permeability[2][3]. Aberrant expression or function of miR-125a is associated with cancer, acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, and infection susceptibility[1][2][3][4][5]. Its involvement in disease makes it a promising prognostic biomarker and a candidate for therapeutic targeting through experimental miRNA modulation strategies, with caveats regarding broad downstream biological impact[1][4][5].

Other names

hsa-miR-125aMIRN125AmiRNA125Amir-125ahsa-mir-125aMIR125A

Gene expression silencing: Binds target mRNA to repress translation or induce degradation; Regulation of specific targets: SOCS3 (hematopoiesis), TNFAIP3 (inflammation), VE-cadherin and others (endothelial permeability), key oncogenic/proliferative signaling proteins (e.g., SIRT7, MMP-11, VEGFA, Zbtb7a, c-Raf in cancer)