MicroRNA 544a (miR-544a)

MicroRNA 544a (miR-544a) is a short, non-coding RNA molecule (microRNA) transcribed by RNA polymerase II and processed by Drosha and Dicer enzymes to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to target mRNAs and influencing their stability and translation[2]. miR-544a is involved in a wide array of cellular processes including cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, immune and inflammation responses, and has been implicated in the development and progression of multiple cancer types and inflammatory or injury responses[1][2][3][4]. It exerts tissue- and context-specific effects, acting as either an oncogene (e.g., in colorectal cancer) or a tumor suppressor (e.g., in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma), largely determined by the identity of its mRNA targets (such as E2F5 and FOXO1)[3][4]. Clinical studies have proposed plasma miR-544a as a potential diagnostic biomarker for acute spinal cord injury due to its sensitivity and specificity in reflecting inflammatory and injury responses[1]. No small-molecule drugs are known to directly target miR-544a, but its modulation has shown potential to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy such as cisplatin[3].

Other names

hsa-mir-544MIR544MIRN544hsa-mir-544amicroRNA 544MIR544A

Drugs affecting miR-544a act by altering its expression or mimicking/inhibiting its function to modulate downstream gene expression, such as sensitizing tumor cells to chemotherapy (e.g., increasing cisplatin sensitivity through E2F5 inhibition)[3].