Micro‐RNAs as Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressors

Sequencing and annotation efforts have compiled a list of protein-coding genes in the human genome. Largely overlooked, however, is the presence of non-coding RNA genes. Micro-RNAs comprise one such group of non-coding RNAs. Due to the widespread effects they have on gene expression, micro-RNAs are receiving a tremendous amount of scientific interest. This has reached a peak with the identification of specific micro-RNA genes that function as human oncogenes and tumour suppressors. This chapter will present an overview of this amazing class of RNAs, and discuss their connection with human cancer. Keywords: microRNA; miRNA; let-7; oncomiR; non-coding RNA