MiR-122 in hepatic function and liver diseases.
10.1007/s13238-012-2036-3
- Author:
Jun HU
1
;
Yaxing XU
;
Junli HAO
;
Saifeng WANG
;
Changfei LI
;
Songdong MENG
Author Information
1. CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Humans;
Lipid Metabolism;
genetics;
Liver;
growth & development;
metabolism;
physiopathology;
Liver Diseases;
genetics;
physiopathology;
MicroRNAs;
genetics;
metabolism;
Models, Biological
- From:
Protein & Cell
2012;3(5):364-371
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
As the most abundant liver-specific microRNA, microRNA-122 (miR-122) is involved in various physiological processes in hepatic function as well as in liver pathology. There is now compelling evidence that miR-122, as a regulator of gene networks and pathways in hepatocytes, plays a central role in diverse aspects of hepatic function and in the progress of liver diseases. This liver-enriched transcription factors-regulated miRNA promotes differentiation of hepatocytes and regulates lipid metabolism. With regard to liver diseases, miR-122 was shown to stimulate hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication through a unique and unusual interaction with two binding sites in the 5'-UTR of HCV genome to mediate the stability of the viral RNA, whereas inhibit the expression and replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by a miR-122-cylin G1/p53-HBV enhancer regulatory pathway. In addition, miR-122 acts as a suppressor of cell proliferation and malignant transformation of hepatocytes with remarkable tumor inhibition activity. Notably, a clinical trial targeting miR-122 with the anti-miR-122 oligonucleotides miravirsen, the first miRNA targeted drug, has been initiated for treatment of HCV infection. With further understanding of the comprehensive roles of miR-122 in hepatic functions and the mechanisms involved in miR-122 down-regulation in chronic hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma, miR-122 appears to be a promising candidate for effective therapeutic approaches against tumor and infectious diseases.
