Identification of miRNA–34a, miRNA–145 and miRNA–149 as TAp73 and DNp73 targets in hepatocellular carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous noncoding RNAs that were shown to be essential posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. MiRNAs most notably members of the miR–34 family, have been shown to be subject to transcriptional regulation by wild-type p53. We have established a relevant role for the p53 family in the induction of apoptosis, therapeutic response and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TAp73–like wild-type p53- is a mediator of apoptosis. The dominant negative isoform of p73 (DNp73)–on the contrary–is antiapoptotic and enhanced expression of DNp73 correlates with reduced survival…