microRNA 661 (miR-661)

microRNA 661 (miR-661) is a human microRNA involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of numerous genes central to metabolic homeostasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), oxidative stress, and cell survival. Its function is highly context-dependent and varies according to cellular type, oncogene/tumor suppressor landscape, and disease state. In colon and breast cancers, miR-661 modulates redox and metabolic pathways, influencing metabolic stress response and EMT—a key step in cancer invasion and metastasis. miR-661 can both suppress and promote tumorigenesis depending on factors such as p53 status: it suppresses tumor aggressiveness in wild-type p53 backgrounds but exacerbates cancer progression in mutant p53 settings by targeting inhibitors like mdm2 and mdm4. Additionally, in pulmonary arterial hypertension, miR-661 acts as an inhibitor of abnormal cell growth through the TRIM29/AKT/mTOR pathway. Due to its diverse biological influence, miR-661 is under investigation as a therapeutic and prognostic biomarker in several cancers and cardiovascular conditions, although direct drug targeting is not currently established[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

hsa-miR-661MIR661MIRN661

As a therapeutic target, modulation (inhibition or overexpression) of miR-661 would alter the expression of its gene targets such as MTA1, INPP5J, hTER, TRIM29, mdm2, mdm4 to regulate cell proliferation, migration, EMT, and survival[1][2][3][7].