MicroRNA 31 (miR-31)

MicroRNA 31 (miR-31) is a highly conserved, small non-coding RNA molecule (microRNA) that regulates gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to target mRNA transcripts, leading to their degradation or blocking translation[7][1]. miR-31 plays crucial roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell differentiation, migration, immune regulation, muscle homeostasis, and embryonic implantation, among other processes[3][5]. Dysregulation of miR-31 is implicated in numerous diseases, especially cancer: it can act either as a tumor suppressor (e.g., in liver and breast cancer) or as an oncogene (e.g., in lung and oral cancers) depending on cellular context[4][5][6][8]. Other functions include regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in cardiovascular disease, immune modulation by repressing FOXP3, and possible prognostic/diagnostic biomarker roles in cancers and implantation disorders[3][2][1]. miR-31 has become a target of therapeutic investigation through anti-miR oligonucleotides and other molecular modulators, but clinical drugs are not yet established[1][3].

Other names

MIR31hsa-mir-31MIRN31miR-31hsa-miR-31microRNA-31MIR31-5p

Post-transcriptional gene silencing (RNA interference), Inhibition of mRNA stability/translation, Targeting specific mRNAs for silencing (such as tumor suppressors or regulators like FOXP3, MFN2, PROX1, LATS2)