The role of micro-RNA in the regulation of signal pathways in gliomas

Gliomas are invasive brain tumors with high rates of recurrence and mortality. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most deadly form of glioma with nearly 100% rate of recurrence and unfavorable prognosis in patients. Micro-RNAs (miR) are the class of wide-spread short non-coding RNAs that inhibit translation via binding to the mRNA of target genes. The aim of the present review is to analyze recent studies and experimental results concerning aberrant expression profiles of miR, which target components of the signaling pathways Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt, EGFR, TGFb, HIF1a in glioma/glioblastoma. Particularly, the interactions of miR with targets of 2-hydroxyglutarate (the product of mutant isocytrate dehydrogenase, R132H IDH1, which is specific for the glioma pathogenesis) have been considered in the present review. Detecting specific miRNAs in tissue and serum may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for glioma, as well as for predicting treatment response of an individual patient, and potentially serving as a mechanism for creating personalized treatment strategies.