miR-27

miR-27 is a family of microRNA precursors found in animals, including humans.^[1] MicroRNAs are typically transcribed as ~70 nucleotide precursors and subsequently processed by the Dicer enzyme to give a ~22 nucleotide product.^[2] The excised region or, mature product, of the miR-27 precursor is the microRNA mir-27.

miR-27 is one of a number of microRNAs implicated in cholesterol homeostasis and fatty acid metabolism.^[5] The miR-27 gene family has been shown to be downregulated during the differentiation of adipocytes. miR-27 inhibits adipocyte formation when overexpressed, acting by blocking the expression of two main regulators of adipogenesis.^[6] MicroRNAs miR-27a and -27b have been found to negatively regulate adipocyte differentiation through regulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) post-transcriptionally, as well as C/EBP alpha in the case of miR-27b.^[7] miR-27 can be identified both as an adipogenic inhibitor and as playing an important role in the development of obesity.^[6]

Wnt signalling pathway

miR-27 is an activator of the

miR-27 is known to regulate components involved in numerous types of cancer, including breast^[10][11] and ovarian.^[12] miR-27a has been identified as an oncogenic microRNA and, specifically, is highly expressed in breast cancer cells. mir-27b expression is associated with survival in triple negative breast cancer patients.^[13] Inhibition of miR-27 by antisense molecules decreases cell proliferation.^[14] Antisense RNA directed against miR-27a has been shown to decrease the percentage of cells in S phase whilst also increasing those in the G2-M phase.^[15]

The