Author:
Fujii Tomomi,Uchiyama Tomoko,Takeda Maiko
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs contribute to physiological processes by regulating many intracellular molecules participating in the life-supporting mechanisms of development, differentiation, and regeneration as well as by disrupting various signaling mechanisms such as disease development and progression and tumor growth. Because microRNAs (miRNAs) target and regulate the functions of key proteins, it is very useful to identify specific miRNAs that contribute to cellular functions and to clarify the roles of their target molecules as diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cancer prognosis and treatment. In this section, the roles of miRNAs in various cancers and the processes leading to the identification of their target molecules are described, and the latest diagnostic strategies using miRNAs are discussed with specific examples.