Expression of miRNAs Associated with the AML1-ETO, CBFB-MYH1, PML-RARA and AF9-MLL Oncoproteins in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs of 18-25 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally. Moreover, recently miRNA have been implicated in both physiological responses, as well as having critical roles in acute myeloid leukemia. Interestingly, the miRNA expression profile in acute leukemia can discriminate between acute myeloid leukemia with common translocations and imply that the deregulation of specific miRNAs may play a role in the development of leukemia with these associated genetic rearrangements, also the extraordinary stability of miRNAs, makes it suitable to serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of acute myeloid leukemia. We will review the roles for miRNA here with emphasis on their function in human leukemia and the mechanisms of the AML1-ETO, CBFB-MYH1, PML-RARA and MLLT3- MLL oncoproteins on miRNAs expression in acute myeloid leukemia.