Figure 1.

Biogenesis and function of miRNA in cancer cells. Pre miRNAs are produced in the nucleus through canonical and mirton's pathway. Dicer processes pre miRNAs as they enter the cytoplasm via active exportin 5. miRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) is formed by integration of argonaute family proteins that act as guides and allow recognition of the complementary sequences in target mRNA. miRISC subsequently inhibits the translation of target mRNA or degrades the target mRNA. Various miRNAs can function as tumor suppressors or oncomiRs.