MicroRNA 149 (miR-149)

MicroRNA 149 (miR-149) is a small, non-coding RNA (microRNA) located at chromosome 2q37.3 within the first intron of the glypican 1 (GPC1) gene, and it post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in the 3′-UTR of target mRNAs, leading to their degradation or translational silencing. miR-149 generates two mature strands (miR-149-5p and miR-149-3p), both of which can have distinct and sometimes opposing functions in different cellular contexts. miR-149 is implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, EMT, and angiogenesis, operating within major pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and T/B cell receptor signaling. Dysregulation of miR-149 contributes to cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, chemoresistance, and possibly other diseases, serving as both a tumor suppressor and (less commonly) oncogene depending on the setting. Its role as a biomarker and potential as a therapeutic target in oncology are under active investigation, though drug development is complicated by its tissue- and context-specific dual actions and broad regulatory capacity.

Other names

MIR149hsa-mir-149MIRN149mir-149microRNA-149miR-149-5pmiR-149-3p

Binds to 3′-untranslated region of target mRNAs, causing translational repression or mRNA degradation via the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) Modulates expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressors (e.g., targets AKT1, FASLG, FGF2, PTEN, mTOR, PI3K, FGFR1)