microRNA-20a (miR-20a)

MicroRNA-20a (miR-20a) is a small non-coding RNA molecule that belongs to the highly conserved miR-17-92 cluster, often referred to as "OncomiR-1" due to its potent role in promoting tumorigenesis (Xiao et al., 2020; Kim & Croce, 2023). It functions as a post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of target messenger RNAs, thereby inducing their degradation or inhibiting their translation (RefSeq, 2009; Xiao et al., 2020). miR-20a is involved in a wide array of biological processes, including cell cycle progression, proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, by targeting key genes such as E2F1, PTEN, and TGFBR2 (Xiao et al., 2020; Zhong et al., 2026). In many cancers, including colorectal and lung cancer, miR-20a is frequently overexpressed and acts as an oncogene, making it a promising therapeutic target for antisense-based inhibition (Xiao et al., 2020; Seyhan, 2024). Conversely, in certain contexts, it may exhibit tumor-suppressive properties or play roles in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions (Zhong et al., 2026). Therapeutic strategies currently focus on the development of miR-20a antagomirs to silence its oncogenic activity or mimics to restore its function where it is lost, though challenges remain regarding delivery and off-target toxicity (Kim & Croce, 2023; Seyhan, 2024).

Other names

hsa-miR-20aMIR20AmiR-20a-5pmiR-20a-3pmicroRNA 20a

microRNA-20a regulates gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, leading to mRNA degradation or translational inhibition. Key targets include E2F1, PTEN, TGFBR2, and CDKN1A.