MicroRNA 128 (miR-128)

MicroRNA 128 (miR-128) is a brain-enriched, non-coding RNA molecule that plays a critical role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. It is primarily expressed in the central nervous system, where it modulates neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and motor function by silencing target mRNAs such as BMI1, E2F3, and various receptor tyrosine kinases. In the context of disease, miR-128 often acts as a tumor suppressor in malignancies like glioblastoma and neuroblastoma, where its downregulation is associated with increased cell proliferation and metastasis. Conversely, its dysregulation is implicated in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as in cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. Therapeutic strategies currently focus on the use of miR-128 mimics to restore its suppressive function in cancer or antagomirs to inhibit its activity in specific pathological states. Additionally, miR-128 has shown potential as a circulating biomarker for the early diagnosis and monitoring of neurological and oncological diseases.

Other names

miR-128-1miR-128-2miR-128amiR-128bMIR128MIRN128hsa-mir-128

MicroRNA 128 functions by binding to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of specific target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), such as BMI1, E2F3, and EGFR, leading to their degradation or the inhibition of their translation, thereby silencing gene expression post-transcriptionally.