MicroRNA 362 (miR-362)

MicroRNA 362 (miR-362) is a small non-coding RNA belonging to the microRNA family, encoded within the third intron of the CLCN5 gene on the X chromosome. It exists as two mature species: miR-362-3p and miR-362-5p. miR-362 post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression by binding to target mRNAs, modulating a range of cellular processes including proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. In cancer biology, miR-362 exhibits context-dependent roles: it can function as either an oncomiR (promoting cancer) or tumor suppressor, depending on the tissue and regulatory network involved. For example, miR-362 promotes proliferation and apoptosis resistance in gastric cancer, but can suppress migration and invasion via modulation of the TGF-β/SMAD pathway. Its dysregulation has been observed in various human cancers, including glioma, breast, colorectal, cervical, lung, renal, and skin cancers. Circulating miR-362-3p is also being studied as a minimally invasive biomarker for several malignancies. Its epigenetic modulation (e.g., by DNA methylation) has been implicated in disease pathogenesis.

Other names

MIR362hsa-mir-362MIRN362mir-362hsa-miR-362-3phsa-miR-362-5p

miR-362 functions mainly as a gene silencer, binding to target mRNAs and inhibiting their translation or triggering degradation. In cancer, therapeutic strategies may employ anti-miR-362 oligonucleotides to reduce miR-362 levels and suppress tumor growth and metastasis.