microRNA 300 (miR-300)

microRNA 300 (miR-300) is a short, non-coding RNA gene product (20–24 nucleotides) that regulates gene expression post-transcriptionally by base-pairing with target mRNAs, primarily leading to translational inhibition or destabilization of the target transcript. It plays a role in cell cycle regulation, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation, and modulates signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin. miR-300 is implicated as a tumor suppressor in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, where it inhibits proliferation and colony formation by targeting the oncogene CREPT. Its expression is also crucial for development and function of non-cancer cell types (e.g., Leydig cells, cardiac progenitors), and dysregulation is associated with pathologies like obesity-related testosterone deficiency. miR-300 has no known direct small-molecule modulators; instead, miRNA mimics and inhibitors are being investigated for potential therapeutic applications. Its broad regulatory impact and role as a possible biomarker make miR-300 an emerging therapeutic target and a complex molecular player in diverse biological and disease processes.

Other names

MIR300hsa-mir-300MIRN300miR-300miR-300-3p

Not classic drug-target ligand interaction; therapeutic mechanisms involve gene silencing (using miR-300 mimics to downregulate oncogenes like CREPT) or inhibition (using antagomirs or inhibitors to relieve suppression of target mRNAs).