MicroRNA 374a-5p (miR-374a-5p)

MicroRNA 374a-5p (miR-374a-5p) is a small, non-coding RNA molecule that serves as a critical post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of target messenger RNAs. It is a member of the miR-374 family and is located on the X chromosome [miRBase: MI0000782]. miR-374a-5p is heavily implicated in the progression of various malignancies, where it frequently acts as an oncomiR by promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration, and invasion through the activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways [Li et al., J Clin Invest, 2013; PubMed: 23871637]. In clinical contexts, its overexpression is often associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance in breast, lung, and gastric cancers [Chen et al., Cancer Lett, 2015; PubMed: 25600154]. Beyond oncology, miR-374a-5p plays roles in cardiovascular health, particularly in cardiac hypertrophy and inflammatory responses [PubMed: 28656235]. Therapeutic strategies currently focus on the use of antisense oligonucleotides (antagomirs) to inhibit its oncogenic activity or miRNA mimics to restore its function in specific disease states, though challenges remain regarding targeted delivery and the mitigation of off-target effects.

Other names

hsa-miR-374a-5pMIR374AMicroRNA 374amiR-374a

Post-transcriptional gene silencing via sequence-specific binding to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, leading to mRNA degradation or translational repression [NCBI: Gene ID 407051].