MicroRNA-646 (miR-646)

MicroRNA-646 is a small, non-coding RNA molecule (miRNA) involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of specific target mRNAs, leading to their degradation or translational inhibition[1][2][5][7]. miR-646 is broadly expressed in human tissues and has been shown to play tumor-suppressive roles in several cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer, mainly by downregulating oncogenic targets such as NOB1 and HDAC2, and modulating pathways like MAPK[2][3][5]. In the context of angiogenesis, miR-646 can negatively regulate vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), thereby inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, which is relevant for diseases such as pre-eclampsia and tumor vascularization[1]. Polymorphisms in miR-646 are also linked to altered susceptibility to conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma[7], and it has been implicated in ovarian granulosa cell proliferation via IGF-1 regulation in PCOS[8]. As a microRNA, miR-646 does not function as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but exerts its biological and disease-modifying actions via fine-tuning gene regulatory networks.

Other names

hsa-mir-646MIRN646MIR646

Direct binding to 3'-UTR of target mRNAs such as VEGF-A and HDAC2, resulting in gene silencing via translational repression or mRNA degradation[1][2][3][5][7][8]