The role of let-7 in cell differentiation and cancer

Endocr Relat Cancer. 2010 Jan 29;17(1):F19-36. doi: 10.1677/ERC-09-0184. Print 2010 Mar.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small noncoding RNAs capable of regulating gene expression at the translational level. Current evidence suggests that a significant portion of the human genome is regulated by microRNAs, and many reports have demonstrated that microRNA expression is deregulated in human cancer. The let-7 family of microRNAs, first discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans, is functionally conserved from worms to humans. The human let-7 family contains 13 members located on nine different chromosomes, and many human cancers have deregulated let-7 expression. A growing body of evidence suggests that restoration of let-7 expression may be a useful therapeutic option in cancers, where its expression has been lost. In this review, we discuss the role of let-7 in normal development and differentiation, and provide an overview of the relationship between deregulated let-7 expression and tumorigenesis. The regulation of let-7 expression, cancer-relevant let-7 targets, and the relationship between let-7 and drug sensitivity are highlighted.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Larva
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • MicroRNAs / therapeutic use
  • Multigene Family
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Let-7 microRNA, Drosophila
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • let-7 microRNA, C elegans
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human