microRNA 378a (miR-378a)

microRNA 378a (miR-378a) is a highly conserved small non-coding RNA belonging to the microRNA family and is encoded in the first intron of the PPARGC1B gene. It is processed into two mature strands, miR-378a-3p and miR-378a-5p, both of which participate in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miR-378a plays key roles in regulating energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, autophagy, and differentiation, and displays critical effects on cancer biology by influencing proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. It has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including several cancers (where it acts as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor depending on the tissue and context), type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and liver fibrosis. miR-378a is currently studied as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker, with experimental strategies including synthetic inhibitors, mimics, and RNA-loaded nanoparticles being evaluated for disease treatment or management[1][3][5].

Other names

hsa-miR-378aMIR378MIR378AMIRN378miRNA378microRNA 378hsa-mir-378hsa-mir-378amiR-378miR-378a-3pmiR-378a-5p

miR-378a inhibitors: block miR-378a function, altering expression of downstream targets to influence apoptosis, proliferation, and metabolism[1] miR-378a mimics: restore or enhance miR-378a activity to regulate gene expression involved in metabolic homeostasis, tumor growth, or fibrosis[1] Molecular sponges (circRNAs/lncRNAs): sequester miR-378a to modulate its biological effects[3]