MicroRNA Regulation in Pituitary Adenomas

Pituitary adenomas are generally benign neoplasms of the anterior pituitary gland that can disrupt endocrine homeostasis through altered hormone production and mass effects. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by binding to complementary sequences in target messenger RNAs, leading to translational repression or mRNA degradation. In pituitary adenomas, aberrant miRNA expression patterns contribute to tumour initiation, proliferation, invasiveness and hormone dysregulation. Oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs) may be upregulated to silence tumour-suppressor genes, while loss of specific tumour-suppressive miRNAs can release critical oncogenes from repression. These altered miRNA networks intersect with key pathways such as p53, MAPK and PI3K/AKT, influencing cell cycle control, apoptosis and differentiation. Profiling studies have revealed lineage-dependent miRNA signatures across lactotroph, somatotroph, corticotroph and gonadotroph adenomas, highlighting both shared and subtype-specific regulators. Furthermore, circulating and exosomal miRNAs are emerging as minimally invasive biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of therapeutic response. Advances in delivery methods for miRNA mimics and inhibitors offer potential for miRNA-based therapeutics aimed at restoring physiological regulatory circuits in pituitary tumours.

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MicroRNA Regulation in Pituitary Adenomas publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna regulation in pituitary adenomas across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

MicroRNA (miRNA): A short non-coding RNA molecule that regulates gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in target mRNAs, resulting in translational repression or degradation.

Pituitary adenoma: A typically benign tumour arising from cells of the anterior pituitary gland, often associated with hormone hypersecretion or mass-related symptoms.

OncomiR: A microRNA with oncogenic properties that promotes tumour development by downregulating tumour-suppressor genes.

Exosomal miRNAs: miRNAs encapsulated in extracellular vesicles (exosomes) that circulate in bodily fluids and can serve as minimally invasive biomarkers or intercellular signalling molecules.

References

1. MicroRNA networks in prolactinoma tumorigenesis: a scoping review. Cancer Cell International (2024).
2. MiRNAs as Noninvasive Biomarkers and Therapeutic Agents of Pituitary Adenomas. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2020).
3. Identification of Serum miRNA‐423‐5p Expression Signature in Somatotroph Adenomas. International Journal of Endocrinology (2019).