microRNA 939 (miR-939)

MicroRNA 939 (miR-939) is a short, non-coding RNA molecule belonging to the microRNA family, primarily functioning as a post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression[1]. miR-939 acts by binding to target sequences (notably 3′-UTR regions) on specific messenger RNAs and modulating their translation—either repressing protein production or destabilizing the mRNA[3][1]. A key studied target is the human inducible nitric oxide synthase (hiNOS) gene: miR-939 inhibits translation of hiNOS in hepatocytes, acting as a negative feedback regulator following cytokine stimulation[3][1]. Beyond this, miR-939 modulates the immune response—promoting the expression of matrix metalloproteinases in keratinocytes during Staphylococcus aureus infection and contributing to skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD), while also participating in cancer progression and inflammation[4][6]. Due to its extensive gene regulatory roles, miR-939 is being studied as a therapeutic target and biomarker in various diseases. No drugs are currently approved to specifically target miR-939, but antisense inhibition has been explored experimentally. Note: miR-939 is not a traditional "receptor, enzyme, or transporter" but is a recognized and studied regulatory RNA molecule with established therapeutic target potential in multiple disease areas.

Other names

hsa-mir-939MIRN939mir-939MIR939

Not directly targeted by approved drugs; mechanisms studied include antisense inhibitors (antagomirs) blocking miR-939 function to derepress target genes[3][4]