Critical Considerations for Investigating Micrornas During Tumorigenesis: A Case Study in Conceptual and Contextual Nuances of Mir-211-5P in Melanoma Publisher



Vandrajabpour F¹ ; Savage M² ; Belote RL³ ; Judsontorres RL^{2, 3, 4}
Source: Epigenomes Published:2023

Abstract

MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs fundamental to metazoan development and disease. Although the aberrant regulation of microRNAs during mammalian tumorigenesis is well established, investigations into the contributions of individual microRNAs are wrought with conflicting observations. The underlying cause of these inconsistencies is often attributed to context-specific functions of microRNAs. We propose that consideration of both context-specific factors, as well as underappreciated fundamental concepts of microRNA biology, will permit a more harmonious interpretation of ostensibly diverging data. We discuss the theory that the biological function of microRNAs is to confer robustness to specific cell states. Through this lens, we then consider the role of miR-211-5p in melanoma progression. Using literature review and meta-analyses, we demonstrate how a deep understating of domain-specific contexts is critical for moving toward a concordant understanding of miR-211-5p and other microRNAs in cancer biology. © 2023 by the authors.