MicroRNA 15b-3p (miR-15b-3p)

MicroRNA 15b-3p (miR-15b-3p) is a mature microRNA molecule that functions as a key post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression. It is derived from the 3' arm of the precursor microRNA-15b (pre-miR-15b) and exerts its biological effects by incorporating into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to target specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for degradation or translational inhibition [6, 11]. In various cancers, such as prostate and esophageal cancer, miR-15b-3p acts as a significant modulator of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis by targeting genes like KLF2, RECK, and components of the PI3K/AKT pathway [1, 2, 6]. It has also been implicated in non-oncological conditions, including peripheral arterial disease and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, where it influences vascular smooth muscle cell growth and amyloid-beta processing [4, 9]. Due to its dysregulation in disease states, miR-15b-3p is being investigated as both a diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target, with research focusing on miRNA mimics or antagomirs to restore or inhibit its function [2, 7, 14]. However, therapeutic development faces challenges such as ensuring tissue-specific delivery and minimizing off-target effects resulting from the miRNA's ability to regulate multiple gene targets simultaneously [5, 14].

Other names

hsa-miR-15b-3pMIR15BmiR-15bMicroRNA 15b

Post-transcriptional gene silencing via the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), where the miRNA seed sequence binds to complementary sites in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, leading to translational repression or mRNA cleavage [6, 11].