微小RNA在骨肉瘤中的研究进展

Progress in research on miRNA in osteosarcoma

微小RNA(microRNA,miRNA)是指长度约21～25 nt的某些特殊的小型非编码RNA组成的家族。miRNA在转录后水平通过促进靶mRNA降解或抑制翻译过程而发挥负性调控作用。miRNA与肿瘤的发生、发展关系密切。文中综述miRNA的主要特点及其在骨肉瘤中的研究进展。

miRNAs are non-coding, single-stranded small RNAs, molecules of approximately 22 - 25 nucleotide in length and play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expressions. They are believed to regulate the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by degrading or repressing target messenger RNAs （mRNAs）. miRNAs are closely related to the development and progression of cancer. This article reviews the characteristics of miRNAs and their role in osteosarcoma.