MicroRNA 203a (miR-203a)

MicroRNA 203a (miR-203a) is a small, non-coding RNA of approximately 22 nucleotides, belonging to the microRNA class, with a locus at chromosome 14q32.33[5]. It exerts its function primarily through the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by binding to target mRNAs and repressing their translation or promoting degradation[5]. miR-203a acts as a tumor suppressor in several malignancies, including breast cancer, by inhibiting cell cycle progression, proliferation, migration, and by promoting apoptosis, frequently through interactions with genes like PIK3CA, Wnt2b, BMI1, WT1, and XIAP[1][3]. Its expression and methylation status have diagnostic and prognostic utility in various cancers and it has been investigated as a molecular biomarker[2][3][4][5]. There are no clinically approved drugs that directly target miR-203a, but it is being explored as an intervention point in experimental and preclinical tumor gene therapy research[3][5].

Other names

hsa-mir-203MIR203MIRN203hsa-mir-203amiR-203miRNA203mir-203amicroRNA 203MIR203A

Regulation by inhibition of translation or degradation of specific mRNA targets involved in oncogenic signaling (e.g., targeting PIK3CA, Wnt2b, BMI1, WT1, XIAP, BIRC5, LASP1)[1][3].