Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Cancer: From Genomics to Pharmaceutics, KARAKAŞ ZEYNEP,ERDAL MERYEM SEDEF,SAYİTOĞLU MÜGE,SOLUK TEKKEŞİN MERVA, Editör, Istanbul University Press, İstanbul, ss.130-146, 2024
microRNA (miRNA) is a single-stranded, 21–23 nucleotide length RNA molecule that regulates gene expression. miRNAs are non-coding RNAs, which means that the genes that code for them are translated from DNA but not into proteins. K-RAS protein is one of the important molecules involved in normal cell growth. The protein produced by the K-RAS gene plays an important role in the transmission of signals received from the external environment to the cell nucleus. If a mutation occurs, the cell performs ”aggressive” growth. The mutated K-RAS continuously sends the division command even if the cell is not receiving signals from the external environment. Thus, the carcinogenesis mechanisms begin. At this point, the division of the cells cannot be controlled. Colorectal, non-small cell lung, pancreatic, and thyroid malignancies frequently have activated point mutations at codons 12, 13, and 61 of the K-RAS proto-oncogene. Recent research has revealed that miRNAs can act as tumor suppressors or onco-miRNAs. The fact that miRNAs function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in many cancers shows that miRNAs are regulators in tumor progression, metastasis and invasion. In some types of cancer, such as colorectal carcinomas, miRNAs have been shown to directly inhibit K-RAS and downstream signaling pathways of K-RAS. In this chapter, we discuss the control mechanism of miRNAs on K-RAS gene expression.