MicroRNA 873-3p (miR-873-3p)

MicroRNA 873-3p (miR-873-3p) is a small non-coding RNA molecule that serves as a critical post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression. Located on chromosome 9p21.1, it is one of the two mature strands derived from the miR-873 precursor (NIH, 2021). miR-873-3p primarily functions by binding to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of specific messenger RNAs, leading to gene silencing through mRNA degradation or translational repression (ResearchGate, 2021). In oncology, it frequently acts as a tumor suppressor; for instance, it inhibits the proliferation and invasion of endometrial and pancreatic cancer cells by targeting oncogenic factors like hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) and KRAS (NIH, 2019; SciSpace, 2021). Beyond cancer, miR-873-3p plays a significant role in bone metabolism by targeting histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) to stimulate matrix metalloproteinase-13 expression in response to parathyroid hormone, making it a potential target for osteoporosis (Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2020). It is also being investigated as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease (NIH, 2021). Therapeutic approaches currently involve the use of synthetic mimics to restore its function or antagomirs to inhibit its activity in pathological states.

Other names

hsa-miR-873-3pMIR873miR-873MicroRNA 873

Binds to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs (such as HDAC4, KRAS, and HDGF) to inhibit translation or promote mRNA degradation, thereby modulating downstream signaling pathways like ERK/AKT and Wnt/beta-catenin.