microRNA-137 (miR-137)

microRNA-137 is a short, non-coding RNA of approximately 21–25 nucleotides highly expressed in neural tissue, where it fine-tunes the expression of target genes via post-transcriptional repression or degradation of mRNAs[1][3]. It is located on human chromosome 1p22 within the MIR137HG gene and is involved in brain development, neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation, dendrite and synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity[1][2][3][4]. miR-137 also plays a role as a tumor suppressor, frequently downregulated in cancers such as glioblastoma and melanoma, and is associated with epigenetic remodeling mechanisms by targeting enzymes like LSD1, EZH2, and KDM5b[3][4]. Genetic variants near MIR137 are associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric conditions[1][3]. Its broad function and impact on neurodevelopmental and oncologic pathways make it a potential biomarker and research target, though not yet a direct drug target in clinical use.

Other names

miR-137MIR137hsa-mir-137MIRN137MIR137HG

Oligonucleotide drugs (experimental antisense or miRNA mimics) would act by restoring or inhibiting miR-137 activity to either suppress or augment expression of target genes and pathways involved in disease[3].