Interactions between circRNAs and miR-141 in Cancer - From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis and Therapy

Sep 24, 2026

The function of non-coding RNAs in cancer pathogenesis and progression is central, driven by aberrant expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). CircRNAs are covalently closed RNAs that support cellular homeostasis and, as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), regulate miRNA availability to mRNA targets. Their interplay—especially circRNA acting as miRNA sponges and circRNA/miRNA imbalance—implicates key mechanisms across malignant transformation. The work consolidates current knowledge on circRNA–miR-141 interactions, highlighting the circRNA/miR-141/mRNA network as a future target for novel anti-cancer therapy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

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Introduction

Non-coding RNAs in cancer

microRNAs: biogenesis and regulatory roles

Circular RNAs: properties and functions

circRNA-based mechanisms in cancer

Link to diagnosis and therapy

Review Interactions between circRNAs and miR-141 in Cancer: From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis and Therapy Małgorzata Guz *, Witold Jeleniewicz and Marek Cybulski Citation: Guz, M.; Jeleniewicz, W.; Cybulski, M. Interactions between circRNAs and miR-141 in Cancer: From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis and Therapy. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 11861. [https://doi.org/](https://doi.org/)[ ](https://doi.org/)[10.3390/ijms241411861](10.3390/ijms241411861) Academic Editor: Mauro Finicelli Received: 4 July 2023 Revised: 20 July 2023 Accepted: 22 July 2023 Published: 24 July 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland * [Correspondence: malgorzata.guz@umlub.pl](Correspondence: malgorzata.guz@umlub.pl) Abstract: The function of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the pathogenesis and development of cancer is indisputable. Molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis involve the aberrant expression of ncRNAs, including circular RNAs (circRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) . CircRNAs are a class of single-stranded, covalently closed RNAs responsible for maintaining cellular homeostasis through their diverse functions. As a part of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNAs) network, they play a central role in the regulation of accessibility of miRNAs to their mRNA targets. The interplay between these molecular players is based on the primary role of circRNAs that act as miRNAs sponges, and the circRNA/miRNA imbalance plays a central role in different pathologies including cancer. Herein, we present the latest state of knowledge about interactions between circRNAs and miR-141, a wellknown member of the miR-200 family, in malignant transformation, with emphasis on the biological role of circRNA/miR-141/mRNA networks as a future target for novel anti-cancer therapies. Keywords: ncRNA; microRNA; miR-141; circRNA; cancer; diagnosis; therapy; circRNA-miRNAmRNA regulatory network 1. Introduction Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), function as a key regulators of gene transcription and translation [1] . The deregulated expression of ncRNAs is involved in the development and progression of various types of cancer, since it is known that they are associated with cancer-cell growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance [2] . The well-known members of ncRNAs are miRNAs that are single-stranded RNAs, about 22 nucleotides in length, transcribed by RNA polymerase II or III into primary RNAs (pri-miRNAs) which are processed to precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNA) and ultimately into mature miRNAs [3] . Most miRNAs regulate gene expression through complementary base pairing with target sequences in 30 untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs; however, it is known that miRNAs are also able to bind to 50UTRs or even within mRNA coding sequences (CDS) [4] . The interaction between miRNAs and target mRNAs leads to translational repression or mRNA degradation [5] . It was discovered that the expression of a single mRNA may be regulated by multiple miRNAs and one miRNA may regulate multiple genes [6] . These ncRNAs play important roles in cell homeostasis; therefore, any abnormalities in miRNA expression patterns may promote cancer development [2] . MiRNAs may function as oncogenic miRNAs by targeting tumor suppressor genes or tumor suppressor miRNAs that target oncogenes [7] . Due to the stability of cell-free circulating miRNAs in bioﬂuids such as blood, urine, sputum, saliva, and milk, they are considered potential diagnostic biomarkers [7] . Moreover, miRNAs are also considered promising therapeutic tar

FAQs

What role do non-coding RNAs play in cancer according to the text?

Non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs and circular RNAs, are key regulators involved in the development and progression of cancer. Deregulated expression contributes to cancer-cell growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance.

How do circRNAs influence miRNA activity in cancer?

CircRNAs act within competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks by regulating miRNA accessibility to mRNA targets. They can function as miRNA sponges, and circRNA/miRNA imbalance is highlighted as central to cancer-related pathologies.

Why is miR-141 specifically discussed in relation to cancer and therapy?

The document summarizes recent knowledge about interactions between circRNAs and miR-141 in malignant transformation. It emphasizes the circRNA/miR-141/mRNA regulatory network as a future target for novel anti-cancer therapies.

Sep 24, 2026

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