HIF-1-Induced hsa-miR-429: Understanding Its Direct Targets as the Key to Developing Cancer Diagnostics and Therapies

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In this review, we discuss how miRNAs play a critical role in the regulation of mRNA stability and translation, how determining the direct targets of miRNAs in complex networks is extremely difficult, and how translating specific miRNAs to the clinic often results in failure. This has led to concerns that this approach may not be feasible. Using hsa-miR-429 as an example, we discuss the limitations encountered in the development of efficient miRNAs-related therapies and diagnostic approaches and how this can be improved. We also provide a literature analysis of the verified hsa-miR-429 targets in various human research models. A meta-analysis of this work should provide better insights into the role of hsa-miR-429 in cancer diagnosis and any potential therapeutic approaches. ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the regulation of mRNA stability and translation. In spite of our present knowledge on the mechanisms of mRNA regulation by miRNAs, the utilization and translation of these ncRNAs into clinical applications have been problematic. Using hsa-miR-429 as an example, we discuss the limitations encountered in the development of efficient miRNA-related therapies and diagnostic approaches. The miR-200 family members, which include hsa-miR-429, have been shown to be dysregulated in different types of cancer. Although these miR-200 family members have been shown to function in suppressing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, tumor metastasis, and chemoresistance, the experimental results have often been contradictory. These complications involve not only the complex networks involving these noncoding RNAs, but also the problem of identifying false positives. To overcome these limitations, a more comprehensive research strategy is needed to increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying their biological role in mRNA regulation. Here, we provide a literature analysis of the verified hsa-miR-429 targets in various human research models. A meta-analysis of this work is presented to provide better insights into the role of hsa-miR-429 in cancer diagnosis and any potential therapeutic approach.