microRNA 449a (miR-449a)

microRNA 449a (miR-449a) is a small, non-coding RNA molecule belonging to the microRNA family, encoded in the human genome within the second intron of the CDC20B gene[3]. It acts post-transcriptionally by binding to the 3’ untranslated regions (3’UTRs) of target mRNAs, leading to gene silencing, mainly via mRNA degradation or translational repression. miR-449a functions as a tumor suppressor in several cancers including neuroblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, where its expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues[1][2][4][5]. Functionally, miR-449a inhibits tumor cell proliferation, induces G1 phase cell cycle arrest, promotes apoptosis, and enhances cellular differentiation, largely by repressing oncogenic and cell cycle–related genes such as CDK6, LEF1, c-MET, NOTCH1, BCL2, and others. Loss or downregulation of miR-449a is consistently associated with increased malignancy, metastatic potential, and poorer clinical outcomes[1][2][4]. While miR-449a is not currently the direct target of any approved drugs, its expression profile may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, or therapeutic response in certain cancers[1][2][4][5].

Other names

hsa-mir-449hsa-mir-449aMIRN449MIRN449AMIR449Amir-449amicroRNA 449mir-449

Not applicable; miR-449a acts as an endogenous tumor suppressor by downregulating specific mRNA targets[1][2][4].