microRNA-802 (miR-802)

MicroRNA-802 (miR-802) is a small, non-coding regulatory RNA molecule encoded in the human genome (chromosome 21), processed into mature forms (miR-802-3p, miR-802-5p) that modulate post-transcriptional gene expression by targeting complementary mRNAs for degradation or translational repression[3][7]. MiR-802 has been shown to play central roles in diverse physiological and pathological processes such as regulation of intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis, control of Paneth cell and enterocyte functions, modulation of glucose metabolism, adipose tissue inflammation, and immune interactions[1][2][6]. In disease, altered miR-802 expression is linked with obesity, insulin resistance, several cancers (including prostate, liver, breast, lung, gastric, ovarian, osteosarcoma), chronic kidney disease, Down syndrome, and other conditions[2][3][4][5][7]. Mechanistically, miR-802 exerts its effects by binding to the 3′-UTR of various target mRNAs, affecting signaling pathways including Wnt, EMT, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB, thus influencing pathways important in metabolism, immunity, and oncogenesis[1][2][4][5][7]. Elevated or reduced tissue or circulating miR-802 levels act as biomarkers for several diseases, but targeting miR-802 therapeutically is still investigational, with most work in preclinical stages[2][3]. No currently approved drugs directly target miR-802, but its central regulatory functions and disease associations make it an attractive, albeit challenging, candidate for future RNA-based therapeutic strategies[2][3][4][5].

Other names

hsa-mir-802MIR802MIRN802miR-802-3pmiR-802-5p

Modulation of target mRNA stability and translation (canonical microRNA function) Suppression of target genes such as Tmed9 (intestinal homeostasis), TRAF3 (adipose NF-κB signaling), Hnf1b (hepatic insulin sensitivity), Neurod1 (pancreatic insulin transcription), Flot2 (EMT in prostate cancer), and others[1][2][3][5][6]. Downregulation or upregulation of target genes leading to modulation of pathways including Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, PI3K/AKT, EMT, NF-κB signaling[2][4][5][7].