MicroRNA 320d (miR-320d)

MicroRNA 320d is a small, endogenous non-coding RNA of approximately 22 nucleotides, classified within the microRNA-320 family. It regulates target gene expression via post-transcriptional silencing, primarily binding complementary sequences in the 3′-UTR of specific mRNAs such as TUSC3, FoxM1, and CDK6, thereby preventing their translation and promoting mRNA degradation. miR-320d plays a vital role in cancer biology, functioning primarily as a tumor suppressor. Its expression is downregulated in multiple human malignancies, and restoration of miR-320d in cancer cells suppresses proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT, largely by modulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and associated pathways. miR-320d is under evaluation as a biomarker for prognosis and therapeutic response, but no miR-320d-targeted drugs are in clinical use. The "-2" designator has little precedent in research literature; miR-320d itself is the canonical and functionally relevant form.

Other names

miR-320dhsa-miR-320dmicroRNA-320dmember of the miRNA-320 family

Synthetic miR-320d mimics restore tumor-suppressive activity, downregulate TUSC3, CDK6, and FoxM1, inhibit PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, and block EMT. Antisense inhibitors block endogenous miR-320d effects, permitting overexpression of oncogenes.