Expression, regulation and function of miR-495 in healthy and tumor tissues.

MicroRNA-495 (miR-495) is a small non-coding RNA encoded by a gene located on chromosome 14 (14q32.31). Its expression is regulated by the transcription factors EF12 and EF47, in addition to promoter methylation status and the fusion oncoprotein mixed-lineage leukemia-AF9. Previous studies suggest that miR-495 is involved in various developmental, immunological and inflammatory processes in healthy tissue, and in the proliferation, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance of cancer cells. The role miR-495 serves in tumors is controversial. miR-495 primarily functions as a tumor suppressor; however, in a number of cases it acts as an oncogene. miR-495 has potential applications as a diagnostic and prognostic marker, and as a therapeutic target for genetic and pharmacological manipulation in the treatment of various diseases.