microRNA-720 (miR-720)

microRNA-720 (miR-720) is a small non-coding RNA that was originally classified as a microRNA but was later identified as a fragment derived from tRNA-Thr (tRNA-derived fragment or tRF) (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2014). Despite its reclassification and removal from miRBase in 2012, it remains a significant subject of research due to its functional role in post-transcriptional gene regulation through RNA interference-like mechanisms, including Dicer-dependent biogenesis and association with Argonaute proteins (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2014; PNAS, 2011). miR-720 regulates a variety of critical targets, such as GATA3 in macrophage polarization (Biosci Rep, 2016), TWIST1 in breast cancer (Cell Biosci, 2015), and CCND1 in pancreatic cancer (Exp Ther Med, 2017). In clinical contexts, it acts as a context-dependent regulator, functioning as a tumor suppressor in breast and pancreatic cancers while exhibiting oncogenic properties in renal cell carcinoma and glioma (Mol Cancer Ther, 2017; J Liver Cancer, 2022). Its presence in serum and exosomes makes it a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for several malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer (Korean J Intern Med, 2024; Tumour Biol, 2015). Therapeutic strategies currently focus on the use of miR-720 mimics or inhibitors to modulate its activity in disease states (Cell Biosci, 2015; Mol Cancer Ther, 2017).

Other names

miR-720hsa-miR-720tRNA-derived fragment 720tRF-720tRNA-Thr fragment

Regulation of target mRNA stability and translation through RNA interference-like mechanisms, specifically by binding to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target genes.