MicroRNA 29c (miR-29c)

MicroRNA 29c (miR-29c) is a single-stranded non-coding RNA belonging to the miR-29 family, transcribed from the MIR29C locus on chromosome 1q32.2. It is one of three closely related microRNAs (miR-29a, miR-29b, miR-29c) sharing a common seed region and similar but distinct biological roles. Functionally, miR-29c is incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), where it binds target mRNAs through imperfect base pairing, leading to repression of translation or mRNA destabilization. In cancer, miR-29c often acts as a tumor suppressor; its expression is downregulated by epigenetic modifications such as promoter hypermethylation, contributing to invasiveness and chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer and hyperproduction of extracellular matrix proteins in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In fibrotic diseases such as renal fibrosis, miR-29c is also suppressed, resulting in excess extracellular matrix production by fibroblasts and disease progression through TPM1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulation. Restoration of miR-29c activity, either through hypomethylating agents or direct miRNA mimics, is under investigation as a therapeutic approach in multiple disease contexts.

Other names

hsa-mir-29cMIRN29CmiRNA29Cmir-29cMIR29C

Drugs elevate miR-29c expression by reducing DNA methylation in its promoter, thus restoring its tumor-suppressive and anti-fibrotic actions. Inhibition of cancer cell invasion and chemotherapy resistance by restoring miR-29c. Suppression of extracellular matrix production and fibrosis via TPM1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation.