MicroRNA-217 seed-complementary motifs (miR-217 MREs)

MicroRNA-217 (miR-217) seed-complementary motifs are specific nucleotide sequences located primarily within the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that are recognized by the miR-217 microRNA. These motifs are defined by their complementarity to the "seed" region of miR-217, which is essential for the recruitment of the RNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) to the target transcript [Bartel, D. P. (2009). Cell, 136(2), 215-233]. Upon binding, miR-217 facilitates post-transcriptional gene silencing through either mRNA cleavage or translational inhibition. Biologically, these motifs play a pivotal role in regulating cellular senescence, inflammation, and glucose homeostasis, with SIRT1 being a prominent target in kidney and vascular tissues [Kato, M., et al. (2009). J. Biol. Chem., 284(50), 34839-34848]. In various cancers, miR-217 can act as either a tumor suppressor or an oncogene by targeting motifs in genes like E2F3, PTEN, or KRAS, depending on the cellular context [Zhang, S., et al. (2015). Oncol. Rep., 33(6), 2799-2806]. From a therapeutic perspective, these motifs are targeted by antisense oligonucleotides, such as antagomirs or target site blockers (TSBs), which aim to modulate the expression of specific proteins by interfering with the miRNA-mRNA interaction. This approach is particularly relevant for treating conditions like diabetic nephropathy and certain malignancies where miR-217 activity is dysregulated.

Other names

miR-217 binding sitesmiR-217 response elementsmiR-217 target siteshsa-miR-217 recognition elementsmiR-217 seed matches

Drugs such as target site blockers (TSBs) bind with high affinity to these motifs via Watson-Crick base pairing, sterically preventing the miR-217-loaded RNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) from accessing the mRNA, thereby preventing gene silencing.