The loss of miR–198 is crucial for development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aims: miRNA are small, non-coding RNA molecules regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. Recently, we have demonstrated that miRNA–198 (miR–198) is significantly down regulated in HCV-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), affecting markedly cell growth of hepatoma cells. Methods: In order to identify potential pathways of miR–198 function, we transfected hepatoma cells (Huh7) with miR–198. Subsequently, we performed a comprehensive analysis of expression profiles in miR–198 over expressing hepatoma cells using hybridisation microarrays from Affymetrix (San Diego, USA). For bioinformatic interpretati…