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Review
. 2019 Feb 3:2019:9450240.
doi: 10.1155/2019/9450240. eCollection 2019.

The MicroRNA Family Both in Normal Development and in Different Diseases: The miR-17-92 Cluster

Xiaodan Bai  1   2 , Shengyu Hua  3 , Junping Zhang  4 , Shixin Xu  1   2
Affiliations
Review

The MicroRNA Family Both in Normal Development and in Different Diseases: The miR-17-92 Cluster

Xiaodan Bai et al. Biomed Res Int. .

Abstract

An increasing number of research studies over recent years have focused on the function of microRNA (miRNA) molecules which have unique characteristics in terms of structure and function. They represent a class of endogenous noncoding single-strand small molecules. An abundance of miRNA clusters has been found in the genomes of various organisms often located in a polycistron. The miR-17-92 family is among the most famous miRNAs and has been identified as an oncogene. The functions of this cluster, together with the seven individual molecules that it comprises, are most related to cancers, so it would not be surprising that they are considered to have involvement in the development of tumors. The miR-17-92 cluster is therefore expected not only to be a tumor marker, but also to perform an important role in the early diagnosis of those diseases and possibly also be a target for tumor biotherapy. The miR-17-92 cluster affects the development of disease by regulating many related cellular processes and multiple target genes. Interestingly, it also has important roles that cannot be ignored in disease of the nervous system and circulation and modulates the growth and development of bone. Therefore, it provides new opportunities for disease prevention, clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy. Here we review the role of the miR-17-92 cluster that has received little attention in relation to neurological diseases, cardiac diseases, and the development of bone and tumors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The miR-17-92 cluster participates in the development of diverse diseases by regulating the common target gene, contributing to neurological plasticity, functional recovery, and development of tumors via activation of the PI3K/AKT (protein kinase B)/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by downregulation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). A decrease in miR-18a and miR-19a levels leads to an increase in connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). They are considered to be differentially expressed in relation to the many cardiac miRNAs in cardiomyocytes developing. The cluster is also essential for the development and maintenance of bone strength.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structure of the miR-17-92 polycistronic gene. Some miRNA genes are clustered on chromosomes, transcribed by a common promoter to generate a polycistronic transcript, and then processed to produce multiple mature miRNAs. In some miRNA gene clusters each member has a functional additive effect that is more effective than a single miRNA. Members of the miRNA gene cluster can coordinate the regulation of certain processes or play a similar role in the same biological process, ensuring biological activity occurs in a normal and orderly fashion. miR-17-92 encodes a miRNA precursor and produces 7 mature miRNA molecules that belong to 4 miRNA families.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The miR-17-92 gene cluster is involved in the development of various tumors and performs a role in tumor suppression and promotion of cancer in different tumors. The members of this gene cluster have varying functions in the same or different tumors.
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