MicroRNAs and Breast Cancer

摘要

MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are involved in the negative regulation of geneexpression primarily through binding to the 3’untranslated region of their target mRNA. MicroRNAs have multiplemRNA targets, each of which can be regulated by multiple microRNAs making this a complex regulatory network. Theidentification of their importance in different types of cancer and validation of their role in many processes related tocancer progression led to their description as a novel class of oncogenes (or ‘oncomirs’) and tumor suppressors. As aresult, a massive influx of related research articles has emerged. Understanding the role of microRNAs in normal breastand cancer development and progression is critical to fully comprehend this disease. Many insights have been gained todate and this review highlights those with well established roles in breast cancer, as well as providing a comprehensivedepiction of the most recent research articles in the field of microRNAs and breast cancer.