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Novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of α-fetoprotein expression and malignant phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 9, pages 7–8 (2012)Cite this article

MicroRNA122 (miR-122) is highly liver-specific and constitutes more than 70% of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the normal adult liver. α-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most conventional tumor marker used for detecting and surveying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the more common and lethal cancers worldwide. In a recent issue of Nature Communications, Kojima et al. have revealed a strong association between the two biomarkers,1 providing novel insights into the roles of miR-122 in AFP expression and malignant phenotypes of HCC.

miRNAs are a class of short (∼20–23 nucleotides), single-stranded and endogenous non-coding RNAs that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. An imperfect base-pairing between a miRNA and the 3'-untranslated region of the target mRNA results in mRNA degradation or attenuated translation. An mRNA may be targeted by multiple miRNAs, and a miRNA may target multiple mRNAs.2 As the most abundant and specific miRNA in liver, miR-122 is a crucial regulator for ensuring liver maintains normal functions, and altered miR-122 expression has been observed in various hepatic diseases, such as HCC, viral hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis.3

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References

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  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    Zhiqing Hu & Weihua Zhao

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  1. Zhiqing Hu
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Correspondence to Zhiqing Hu.

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Hu, Z., Zhao, W. Novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of α-fetoprotein expression and malignant phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Mol Immunol 9, 7–8 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2011.30

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