MicroRNA and leukemia: Tiny molecule, great function

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression via degradation or translational repression of their targeted messenger RNAs (mRNAs). It is known that aberrant microRNA expression can play a vital role in the pathology of leukemia, thus microRNAs have rapidly emerged as potential targets for therapeutics. This review focuses on recent researches on the important roles of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.