| mir-278 | |
| Symbol: | mir-278 |
| Rfam: | RF00729 |
| Mirbase Family: | 3 |
| Rna Type: | microRNA |
| Tax Domain: | Eukaryota |
In molecular biology mir-278 microRNA is a short RNA molecule belonging to a class of molecules referred to as microRNAs. These function to regulate the expression levels of other genes by several mechanisms, primarily binding to their target at its 3'UTR.
miR-278 affects energy metabolism in the Drosophila melanogaster species. Elevated insulin production has been observed in miR-278 mutants, due to insulin resistance in the absence of this microRNA. miR-278 is now known to act through regulation of the expanded gene transcript, and most likely through further miR-278 targets as well.[1]
Misexpression in the developing eye has been found to result in overgrowth, partially through apoptotic inhibition.[2] There is a single base substitution which blocks the gain-of-function phenotype, indicating the acquisition of novel functions by misexpressed miRNAs which bring about unscheduled cell proliferation in vivo. This is reflective of a microRNA potential in the promotion of tumour formation.