microRNAs in cancer

MicroRNAs are small non coding RNAs that typically inhibit the translation and stability of messanger RNAs (mRNAs), controlling genes involved in cellular processes such as inflammation, cell cycle regulation, stress response, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. Thus, miRNAs have been implicated in the regulation of virtually all signaling circuits within a cell and their dysregulation has been shown to play an essential role in the development and progression of cancer. Here, after a brief description of the miRNA genomics, biogenesis and function, we discuss the effects of miRNA deregulation in the cellular pathways that lead to the progressive conversion of normal cells into cancer cells and the potential to develop new molecular miRNA-targeted therapies