microRNA-mediated transcriptional modulation

MicroRNA-mediated transcriptional modulation refers to a collection of mechanisms by which microRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs of about 21–23 nucleotides in length, modulate gene expression at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. miRNAs most commonly function by binding to complementary sequences within the 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of target messenger RNAs to induce translational repression and/or mRNA degradation. In some contexts, miRNAs also interact with promoter or enhancer regions to activate or silence gene transcription through recruitment of chromatin-modifying complexes, direct transcriptional repression, or epigenetic remodeling. These modulation processes impact cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, development, and are implicated in many diseases including cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disorders. However, 'microRNA-mediated transcriptional modulation' is a biological process, not a single molecule or classical therapeutic target.

Other names

microRNA-mediated gene regulationmiRNA-directed transcriptional controlmiRNA-induced transcriptional modulation