MicroRNA 139-5p (miR-139-5p)

MicroRNA 139-5p (miR-139-5p) is a highly conserved small non-coding RNA that serves as a critical regulator of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. It is predominantly recognized as a potent tumor suppressor, and its downregulation is frequently observed across a wide range of human malignancies, including colorectal, breast, and gastric cancers (PubMed: 29328332). By targeting various oncogenic mRNAs such as IGF1R, NOTCH1, and BACE1, miR-139-5p inhibits essential pathological processes like cell proliferation, metastasis, and the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques (PubMed: 25326604, PubMed: 30655334). In the context of cancer, miR-139-5p acts as a brake on signaling pathways like PI3K/Akt and Wnt/beta-catenin, thereby promoting apoptosis and reducing invasive potential. Although no miR-139-5p-based therapies are currently FDA-approved, experimental miR-139-5p mimics are being investigated in preclinical models to restore its protective functions. The molecule also shows significant promise as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker due to its stable presence in biofluids and its strong correlation with disease progression.

Other names

hsa-miR-139-5pMIR139miR-139MicroRNA 139

MicroRNA 139-5p functions through post-transcriptional gene silencing by binding with partial complementarity to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). This interaction, mediated by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), leads to either the degradation of the target mRNA or the inhibition of its translation into protein (PubMed: 25103498).