MicroRNA 33b-5p (miR-33b-5p) (miR-33b-5p)

MicroRNA 33b-5p (miR-33b-5p) is a small non-coding RNA that plays a critical role in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism (MDPI, 2023). It is encoded within the intronic region of the Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Transcription Factor 1 (SREBF1) gene and acts by repressing the expression of key transporters and enzymes, such as ABCA1 and CPT1A, thereby controlling cholesterol efflux and fatty acid oxidation (NIH, 2025). Beyond its metabolic functions, miR-33b-5p is frequently dysregulated in various cancers, where it often functions as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through the targeting of oncogenes like HMGA2 and MYC (NIH, 2017; NIH, 2021). Due to its central role in metabolic homeostasis and oncogenesis, miR-33b-5p has emerged as a significant therapeutic target, with antagomirs like RG-125 (AZD4076) being developed to treat dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis (NIH, 2025). However, therapeutic application faces challenges such as the need for tissue-specific delivery and potential side effects related to central nervous system hunger signaling and sympathetic nerve activity (NIH, 2025).

Other names

hsa-miR-33b-5pmiR-33bMicroRNA 33bMIR33B

Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, leading to translational repression or mRNA degradation.