MicroRNA 4423 (miR-4423)

MicroRNA 4423 (miR-4423) is a primate-specific small non-coding RNA primarily expressed in airway mucociliary epithelium. It acts as a regulator of airway epithelial cell differentiation, promoting ciliogenesis and maintaining epithelial identity. Loss or reduction of miR-4423 expression is seen in most lung cancers and is implicated in tumorigenesis by failing to suppress anchorage-independent growth and by derepressing genes linked to carcinogenesis[1][2]. Functionally, miR-4423 acts as a tumor suppressor in lung tissue, reversible in cell and animal models by forced expression. It also exhibits roles in suppressing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoting apoptosis by targeting genes such as MMP13, relevant to rheumatoid arthritis[3]. In the context of hepatitis C, miR-4423-3p can facilitate infection by suppressing immune responses through direct targeting of RIG-I/DDX58[4]. miR-4423 is processed through the Dicer-dependent microRNA biogenesis pathway, becomes incorporated into the Argonaute complex, and has gene targets overlapping but distinct from the miR-449/miR-34 family. Due to its restricted species expression and tissue specificity, miR-4423 may provide a diagnostic biomarker for lung cancer and a novel therapeutic target in airway diseases and related cancers, pending further investigation[1][2][3][4].

Other names

MIR4423hsa-mir-4423mir-4423miR-4423miR-4423-3pmiR-4423-5p

RNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene silencing; Negative regulation of mRNA targets (examples: MMP13, RIG-I/DDX58)