MicroRNA 3666 (miR-3666)

MicroRNA 3666 (miR-3666) is a small non-coding RNA molecule that functions as a post-transcriptional regulator by binding to complementary sequences in mRNA targets, resulting in gene silencing through mRNA degradation or inhibition of translation. miR-3666 is located within an intronic region of the FOXP2 gene and is implicated in modulating both its host gene's and other genes’ functions, especially related to neurodevelopment. Experimentally, miR-3666 is significantly downregulated in multiple cancers—such as glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, thyroid carcinoma, and breast cancer—where its overexpression suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion and can promote apoptosis[1][2][4]. Suggested target genes include SIRT7 (implicated in apoptosis, DNA repair, and cell cycle) and KDM2A. miR-3666 is also of research interest as a circulating biomarker and may play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders, potentially affecting the pathogenesis of disorders like schizophrenia and autism by modulating FOXP2 and common neurodevelopmental gene targets[3]. Therapeutically, it is an emerging target for miRNA-based cancer therapies and a potential prognostic biomarker. No drugs are currently known to interact directly with miR-3666.

Other names

MIR3666hsa-mir-3666hsa-miR-3666

Gene silencing via mRNA degradation or translational repression; Post-transcriptional regulation of target gene expression