MicroRNA 29a-5p (miR-29a-5p)

MicroRNA 29a-5p (miR-29a-5p) is a small non-coding RNA molecule that belongs to the miR-29 family, which also includes miR-29b and miR-29c. While the -3p strand is often the dominant guide strand, miR-29a-5p (the passenger strand) has been identified as a significant regulator in various pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and traumatic brain injury. It primarily functions through post-transcriptional gene silencing by binding to the 3'-untranslated regions of target mRNAs such as ARID2, DHRS4, and NLRP3, thereby modulating pathways related to cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and inflammation. In the central nervous system, miR-29a-5p has been shown to act as an unconventional ligand for Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), contributing to neuroinflammation and neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease models. Conversely, its role in traumatic brain injury suggests a protective effect by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome. Therapeutic strategies targeting miR-29a-5p involve the use of synthetic mimics to restore its tumor-suppressive or anti-inflammatory functions, or antagomirs to inhibit its potentially harmful effects in neurodegenerative contexts.

Other names

hsa-miR-29a-5pmiR-29a*MIR29AMicroRNA 29a passenger strand

Post-transcriptional gene silencing via binding to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of target mRNAs; also functions as a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist in the central nervous system.