microRNA 638 (miR-638)

microRNA 638 (miR-638) is a small, non-coding RNA belonging to the microRNA class that regulates gene expression by promoting mRNA degradation or translational repression. It is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and DNA damage repair. miR-638 functions as a tumor suppressor in many cancer types by targeting oncogenic proteins such as CDK2, PLD1, VEGFA, NOR1, and SMC1A, and it is implicated in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle function, hematopoiesis, and autoimmune diseases. Aberrant expression (usually downregulation) of miR-638 is associated with the development and progression of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and lupus nephritis, making it a candidate biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring. Despite its promise as a therapeutic target, there are challenges related to specificity, systemic effects, and effective delivery of miRNA therapeutics directly targeting miR-638.

Other names

hsa-miR-638MIR638miR-638hsa-mir-638MIRN638

microRNA 638 (miR-638) exerts its mechanism of action primarily through post-transcriptional silencing of target mRNAs. This includes: Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), resulting in cell cycle arrest; Inhibition of orphan nuclear receptor NOR1, reducing cell proliferation/migration; Inhibition of structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1A (SMC1A), suppressing DNA damage repair; Inhibition of phospholipase D1 (PLD1), leading to tumor suppressive effects in gastric cancer; Inhibition of myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), affecting tumor progression in certain cancers; Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), affecting angiogenesis in Ewing sarcoma; Targeting MeCP2, influencing gastric cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Additionally, miR-638 modulates cell sensitivity to chemotherapy agents.