MicroRNA 140 (miR-140)

MicroRNA 140 (miR-140) is a non-coding RNA molecule classified as a microRNA that is abundantly and specifically expressed in cartilage[4][5]. It plays a critical role in regulating cartilage development, homeostasis, and skeletal growth by targeting key matrix-degrading enzymes such as ADAMTS-5, thereby protecting cartilage from degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis[3][4]. Loss or reduction of miR-140 leads to increased cartilage matrix degradation, defects in chondrocyte differentiation, and has been implicated in genetic skeletal disorders such as spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, Nishimura type, and osteogenic sarcoma[2][4][5]. miR-140 acts through post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanisms and is under the regulatory control of chondrocyte-specific transcription factors such as SOX9. Altered expression of miR-140 serves as a biomarker of cartilage pathology and makes it a potential (but currently experimental) therapeutic target in degenerative and inflammatory cartilage diseases[4][5].

Other names

hsa-mir-140MIR-140MIRN140SEDNmiRNA140mir-140MIR140

RNA interference-mediated downregulation of target mRNAs (e.g., ADAMTS-5); Suppression of cartilage matrix degradation; Regulation of chondrocyte differentiation programs