Recent work by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has brought to light the over-expression of a specific microRNA (miRNA) known as ‘miR-155’ in cases of tongue cancer.
About MicroRNAs
MicroRNAs are short, non-coding Ribonucleic Acids (RNAs), containing 20-24 nucleotides. They’re present in almost all biological pathways within animals, and play pivotal roles in the manifestation and propagation of many cancers. This includes their involvement in cancer formation, malignant transformation, and metastasis processes.
Understanding Carcinogenesis, Malignant Transformation, and Metastasis
Carcinogenesis refers to the development of cancer, or the uncontrolled growth of cells, where normal cells transform into cancer cells. Additionally, Malignant transformation is the process where cells gain cancerous properties. This can happen either as a primary process in normal tissue or secondarily as malignant degeneration of a pre-existing benign tumor.
On the other hand, metastasis pertains to the spread of cancer cells from their point of origin to another part of the body. During metastasis, cancer cells break free from the primary tumor, travel through the blood or lymph system, and form new tumors in other organs or tissues.
The Role of Oncomirs
Oncomirs refer to the miRNAs linked with cancer. They influence cancer growth by inhibiting or enhancing the functionality of particular proteins. Specifically, Oncomirs impact cancer by suppressing the role of tumor-suppressing agents, which can curtail the growth and diffusion of cancer cells, and in some cases, inhibit tumor growth altogether.
The Importance of Recent Research Findings
The recent identification of the overexpression of miR-155 in tongue cancer has considerable implications for future treatment options. These discoveries could aid in the creation of molecular strategies to manipulate miR-155 expression, opening the way for new therapeutics for tongue cancer treatment.
miRNA manipulation is being integrated with conventional cancer treatment methodologies like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. The elimination of miR-155 leads to the death of cancer cells, arrests the cell cycle, reduces tumor size in animal models, and diminishes cell viability and colony formation in benchtop assays.
About Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
RNA is a polymer of ribonucleotides, present in all biological cells, playing a crucial role in protein synthesis. Functioning as the messenger carrying instructions from Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), it contains the genetic instructions necessary for life development and maintenance. Differing from DNA in three core respects – RNA utilizes uracil as a nitrogenous base instead of thymine, its nucleotides possess a hydroxyl group at the 2nd position, and it’s most often found single-stranded, whereas DNA is typically paired into a double helix.
