miR-17-92 cluster: ups and downs in cancer and aging

Biogerontology. 2010 Aug;11(4):501-6. doi: 10.1007/s10522-010-9272-9. Epub 2010 May 1.

Abstract

The miR-17-92 cluster encoding 6 single mature miRNAs was identified a couple of years ago to contain the first oncogenic miRNAs. Now, one of these 6 miRNAs, miR-19 has been identified as the key responsible for this oncogenic activity. This in turn reduces PTEN levels and in consequence activates the AKT/mTOR pathway that is also prominently involved in modulation of organismal life spans. In contrast, miR-19 and other members of the miR-17-92 cluster are found to be commonly downregulated in several human replicative and organismal aging models. Taken together, these findings suggest that miR-19 and the other members of the miR-17-92 cluster might be important regulators on the cross-roads between aging and cancer. Therefore, we here briefly summarize how this cluster is transcriptionally regulated, which target mRNAs have been confirmed so far and how this might be linked to modulation of organismal life-spans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Multigene Family*
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • MIRN17 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs