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Review

MIR133A in Cancer Biology: Target Genes, Biological Effects, and Biomarker Potential

by
Grinsun Sharma
1,†,
Santosh Lamichhane
2,† and
Soo-Cheon Chae
3,*
1
School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA
2
Department of Genome Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
3
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Genes 2026, 17(7), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17070781
Submission received: 28 May 2026 / Revised: 1 July 2026 / Accepted: 3 July 2026 / Published: 5 July 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Non-Coding RNA in Cancer)
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Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Various studies have highlighted the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tumor initiation and progression. MiRNAs are endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules that interact with the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of target mRNAs to inhibit mRNA translation or promote mRNA degradation. Various studies have reported that MIR133A is expressed at reduced levels in many tumor tissues and inhibits tumor progression. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the interactions of MIR133A and its target genes in the most commonly diagnosed cancers, namely, breast, lung, colorectal, gastric, and prostate. These results demonstrated that MIR133A is one of the optimal biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of various tumors, providing insights into the clinical management and practice of malignant tumors.

1. Introduction

Cancer is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity worldwide [1]. In 2020, approximately 20 million novel cases and about 10 million cancer related mortalities were recorded [2]. Breast cancer is ranked as a primary cancer type, followed by lung cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC). Lung cancer (18%) accounts for the highest proportion of cancer-related deaths, followed by CRC (9.4%) [3]. Cancer incidence is not only affected by family history, environmental factors, and genetic susceptibility; it also increases with age, and it is affected by obesity and unhealthy diets.
MiRNAs are endogenous, noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules that interact with the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of their target gene, leading to either inhibition of mRNA translation or acceleration of mRNA degradation [4]. MiRNAs influence cancer pathology by behaving either as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes [5]. Normally, miRNAs act through feedback mechanisms to safeguard cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, dysregulation of miRNA expression can significantly alter the expression of other genes, thereby promoting the transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells [6]. Roughly half of human genes are controlled by internal miRNAs, and their abnormal expression leads to diverse biological changes, including apoptosis, cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis [7]. Various studies have shown that miRNA regulation plays a significant role in tumor initiation and advancement [8]. Furthermore, miRNAs have surfaced as a promising factor in early disease detection, categorization, and treatment; however, their validation and quantification are still challenging in clinical settings [9].
MIR133 has been identified in mice, flies, and many mammalian species, including humans [10]. According to reports, MIR133 possesses three identified human gene loci, with two gene loci (bicistronic) for MIR133A situated on chromosomes 18 (MIR133A1) and 20 (MIR133A2), and the third for MIR133B is situated on chromosome 6 [11]. The members of MIR133 have different sub-types, varying across different species. In humans, the MIR133 family has three subtypes (miR-133a-3p, miR-133a-5p, and miR-133b) [12]. MIR133A exhibits high expression levels in both the heart and skeletal muscles, and MIR133B displays high expression levels in the skeletal muscle. In addition, MIR133A and MIR133B belong to the same miRNA family, but they differ in terms of genomic origin, tissue distribution, and possibly cancer-specific function. Therefore, their roles should not be considered completely interchangeable [13,14]. However, the most abundantly expressed form of MIR133 is miR-133a-3p (hereby referred to as MIR133A in this study) in all species.
Studies on genomic expression on miRNAs have shown that MIR133A is prevalent across a range of tissues or organs and downregulated in cervical cancer [15], CRC [16], human glioma [17], non-small cell lung cancer [18], breast cancer [19], ovarian cancer [20], retinoblastoma [21], gastric cancer (GC) [22], and prostate cancer (PC) [23].
MIR133A is upregulated in human airway epithelial cells, contributing to epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) [24], and its expression, along with miR-1, is also increased in multiple myelomas compared with normal samples [25].

2. MicroRNA Biogenesis, Structure, and Biology

In summary, the biosynthesis of miRNA starts at the nucleus, as the single-stranded miRNA, which requires high sequence complementarity, is converted using RNA polymerase II/III to a double-stranded loop like pri-miRNA (≃100–120 nucleotides) (Figure 1). Also, the microprocessor complex (Drosha and DGCR8) recognizes and cleaves the pri-miRNA to create shorter precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA ≃70 nucleotides). Exportin-5 transports the pre-miRNA to the cytoplasm, where it undergoes processing using Dicer to produce mature miRNA.
This matured miRNA duplex is inserted into the argonaute2 (AGO2) family proteins, thereby forming a complex known as miRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC). The binding of mature miRNA to the RISC complex causes the unwinding of mature miRNA with the help of a special domain. In contrast, one strand (guide strand) of the mature miRNA remains with AGO2 protein while the other (passenger strand) is broken down; for some miRNAs, the passenger strand can also be activated. Then, a single active guide complex (≃15–20 nucleotides) recognizes and binds to the target complementary sequence of the 3′ UTR of mRNAs. As a result, mRNA is cleaved, mRNA translation is repressed, and mRNA degradation is induced [26].
The most critical determinant region for miRNAs and their target mRNAs is the “seed region” that is mostly situated at positions 2–8 from the miRNA 5′-end [27]. Recent studies have shown that perfect binding between miRNAs and mRNAs at the “seed region” upholds the functional equilibrium of gene networks within cells [28]. However, mRNA sites that show incomplete binding can still act as effective targets for miRNAs, meaning that they are still highly likely to be false-positive in bioinformatics prediction [29]. Therefore, the target sites predicted using bioinformatics need to be confirmed through experiments.

3. MIR133A in Cancer

More recently, it has been reported that miRNAs govern about fifty percent of human genes and are aberrantly expressed in tumor tissues, waste products, and body fluids from cancer patients [30]. Numerous studies have shown that the regulation of MIR133A contributes to malignancies, including cancer progression. Recently, studies on miRNAs have illuminated their potential roles in the initiation and advancement of cancer. In recent decades, various studies have shown that miRNAs regulate multiple target genes and are associated with tumors and are differentially expressed in different cancers [15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25].
In this review, we provide an overview of current knowledge regarding the significance of MIR133A in different cancers, focusing on its functional interaction with putative target genes and the relevant pathways.

3.1. MIR133A in Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

CRC is a widespread gastrointestinal malignancy, known as the second-highest cause of cancer-related mortality and the third-highest cancer incidence [31]. CRC incidence is growing swiftly in Asia, which was previously known as a low-risk region [32]. The precise mechanism of CRC remains unclear, though various studies have reported that cellular metabolism, genetic modification, and mutation are vital factors for pathogenesis [33]. The progression of intestinal tumors occurs through distinct clinical phases, intricately linked to specific genetic mutations. The fate of intestinal epithelial cells is governed by the Wnt/β-catenin cascade. APC, β-catenin, and KRAS/BRAF mutations lead to adenoma growth. Further, inactivating TGF-β mutations introduce malignant features, while p53 mutations drive transformation into adenocarcinoma. Additionally, the activation of Cox-2, epidermal growth factor, and VEGF is correlated with CRC development and disease advancement [34].
Accumulating evidence suggests that MIR133A inhibits CRC by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis (Figure 2). MIR133A complexly regulates the SOX9 gene, which in turn affects the PIK3CA-AKT1-GSK3B-CTNNB1 and KRAS-BRAF-MAP2K1-MAPK1/3 pathways. This leads to the inhibition of growth, migration, and colony formation in CRC cells. Notably, PIK3CA and KRAS pathways, recognized for the role they play in cell proliferation, also function as oncogenes [35].
Tumor cells typically evade apoptosis pathways, but MIR133A counteracts CRC growth by promoting apoptosis and suppressing cell proliferation. This occurs through regulating RFFL gene, causing G0/G1-phase arrest, and the activation of tumor suppressor p53/p21 cascade. G0/G1-phase arrest halts the cell cycle at the G0 or G1 phase, suppressing DNA synthesis and effectively suppressing overall cell proliferation [36]. Furthermore, MIR133A has great significance in reducing the levels of the oncogenic RAS/ERK/MYC pathway through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) modulation, leading to increased p53 expression. It also regulates EMT factors, effectively suppressing CRC proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance [37]. CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) governs cell cycle progression with cyclins, and its dysregulation can lead to cancer cell proliferation. CDK inhibitors show promise in treating colon cancer by disrupting cell cycle control. Additionally, MIR133A inhibits SENP1 expression, upregulating CDK inhibitors like p16, p19, p21, and p27, ultimately inhibiting cell proliferation [38] and colony formation by regulating Sp1 transcription factor (SP1) and IGF1R gene [39]. Cadherins (CDH3) are crucial for cell adhesion, and it is aberrantly expressed in CRC due to promoter hypomethylation. MIR133A regulates CDH3-mediated catenin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), apoptosis, and the EMT pathway, thereby suppressing cell growth, migration, and colony formation in CRC. Therefore, further investigation is needed to explore the potential involvement of MIR133A in CRC [16].

3.2. MIR133A in Gastric Cancer

In recent times, gastric cancer (GC) has emerged as a prominent contributor to cancer-related mortality. The survival rates for individuals with GC remain relatively low, despite the development of numerous treatments and drugs [40]. Distal gastric cancer is primarily associated with H. pylori infection and dietary factors, while proximal gastric cancer is linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obesity; these are the main causative agents. Research has shown a significant dose-dependent correlation between smoking and the likelihood of having GC [41]. Also, the initiation of GC is complex and multifactorial. It includes genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors such as diets, microbes, and their metabolites. Previous studies have implicated MIR133A in regulating GC initiation and development (Figure 3). Hu et al. found that bufothionine, a sulfur-containing compound, upregulated MIR133A, which amplifies the suppression of GC by deactivating the eIGF1R/PI3K/AKT cascade and increases the apoptosis and production of reactive oxygen species, which are reversed by downregulating MIR133A [42]. Also, SP1, a transcriptional factor, is a direct target of MIR133A that binds to the 3′-UTR region. It was reported that MIR133A negatively regulates SP1 and its downstream molecules MMP9 and cyclin D1 (CCND1), which limits proliferation, invasion, and migration in GC [22]. The luciferase assay verified that USP39 was a direct target of MIR133A, and there was an inverse relation between them. A higher expression of MIR133A causes the downregulation of USP39, which inhibits cell proliferation and could be the novel therapeutic target for gastric cancer prognosis [43]. However, Li et al. showed that cancer cells utilize autophagy to maintain mitochondrial energy and function, maintaining requirements for growth and proliferation, ultimately promoting their survival during starvation conditions. MIR133A is involved in GC proliferation by regulating the expression of FOXP3, which in turn increases the expression of proliferation markers (PCNA and MKI67) and apoptosis-related marker (TP53) and autophagy marker (LC3B) [44].

3.3. MIR133A in Lung Cancer (LC)

LC is the most prevalent cancer and primary contributor to tumor related death. LC has a tendency to be asymptomatic for a long time, meaning that patients with major disease are often diagnosed at an advanced stage [45]. Risk factors include, smoking, genetic factors, previous respiratory disease, various viral infections, i.e., human papillomavirus, occupational exposure to carcinogens, diet and obesity, air pollution, and family history of cancer [46].
LC is a multifaceted and iterative process that induces the gradual accumulation of molecular and genetic anomalies. In the case of LC, about 2 million new cases are identified annually, resulting in 1.7 million fatalities. As the malignancies have a diverse nature, the analysis of microRNA gives us an idea of the type of cancer [47]. Evidence has shown that MIR133A is reduced in lung cancer patients, (Figure 4), which results in poor clinical outcomes, prognosis, and lower survival rates [48]. Meanwhile, MIR133A has been found to be highly upregulated in the serum samples of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LA) compared with the controls; however, the variation was non-significant in cancer tissues [49]. In contrast to LA, MIR133A expression was downregulated in NSCLC and EGFR was higher than normal mucosa. Furthermore, the restoration of MIR133A in NSCLC cells suppressed cell growth, induced apoptosis, and suppressed the EGFR/AKT/ERK signaling pathway [50].
Shen et al. showed that, MIR133A also inhibits cell proliferation of NSCLC cells by regulating YES proto-oncogene 1 (YES1). The relationship between the MIR133A and YES1 gene was investigated using a luciferase assay. Also, the increase in YES1 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis and worse clinical outcome of NSCLC [51]. Another study showed that MIR133A levels were downregulated in NSCLC, while LASP1 (LIM and SH3 domain protein 1) expression, a direct target of MIR133A, increased. They reported that MIR133A overexpression inhibited cell viability, EMT, and TGF-β/Smad3 pathways and suppressed tumor growth by regulating LASP1 expression [52]. ERBB2 (receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2) is a member of the EGFR family and involved in proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. It was a direct target of MIR133A, and upregulation of MIR133A suppressed growth, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells by regulating ERBB2 [53].

3.4. MIR133A in Breast Cancer (BC)

BC is one of the most common malignant cancers, resulting in 14% of breast cancer-related deaths in women. There is a great disparity in cancer patients’ survival rates; for example, the five-year survival rate in the developed countries is 80%, whereas in developing countries the rate of survival is below 40%. Also, in American females, the risk of developing breast cancer is about 10% [54]. Risk factors include age, timing of menarche and menopause, age at first pregnancy, family medical history, exposure to radiation, and lifestyle choices [55]. There is a limited understanding of the mechanism of breast cancer, underlying the need for novel strategies based on molecular mechanisms to be developed. Numerous studies have reported that MIR133A was significantly decreased in breast cancer [19,56,57].
The accumulated research suggests that MIR133A acts as a tumor suppressor and enhances cell cycle arrest in the G2/S phase by targeting EGFR and its downstream AKT pathway. Thus, cell cycle and growth were inhibited via the EGFR/AKT signaling pathway (Figure 5). Likewise, Shi et al. showed that MIR133A was remarkably suppressed in BC cells and tissues. MAML1 (mastermind-like transcriptional coactivator 1), a notch signaling coactivator, was confirmed as a direct target of MIR133A and is reduced by binding to the 3′-UTR region, which inhibits invasion, EMT, and metastasis in an in vivo models [58]. Along with that, Yuan et al. have shown that MIR133A plays a functional role in BC cells resistant to doxorubicin by controlling the expression of UCP-2 (uncoupling protein 2) [59]. In BC, MIR133A was reported to downregulate, resulting in lymph node metastasis and reduced survival rates of patients, whereas, the restoration of MIR133A suppresses BC cell growth and invasion by targeting FASCN1 gene [57]. As such, many studies have suggested the use of MIR133A as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Although MIR133A has been reported to be downregulated in several cancer types, acting as a tumor suppressor, others have shown that circulating MIR133A is upregulated in BC patients [60].

3.5. MIR133A in Prostate Cancer (PC)

PC is the second most commonly identified, and a leading cause of tumor linked death among males. Older men over 65 years of age are most vulnerable to developing PC, and it was estimated that the disease caused about 400,000 deaths in 2022 [61]. Risk factors include age, family history, obesity, physical activity, smoking, and occupational exposures to chemicals hazards [62]. As with various other cancers, studies have highlighted our limited understanding of PC, emphasizing the need for research focused on novel prevention strategies. In this context, microRNAs have demonstrated important regulatory roles in PC. Studies have reported that MIR133A is often deregulated in cancer, and its low expression has been shown to be associated with recurrence and metastasis in PC (Figure 6). Both the androgen receptor and FUS (fused in sarcoma), a protein that interacts with the androgen receptor, were found to be direct targets and downstream of MIR133A. Overexpression of MIR133A significantly inhibits androgen receptor-linked growth in PC cells by regulating androgen receptors and FUS, thereby modulating androgen and its downstream receptors (IGFR and EGFA) [63]. Tang et al. showed that MIR133A was reduced in PC, and the overexpression of MIR133A inhibits PC bone metastasis by regulating PI3K/AKT cascade via the regulation of several cytokine targets like EGFR, IGF1R, and MET [23]. Also, MCL1 is a target of MIR133A, and its overexpression is directed to the suppression of MCL1, which inhibits cell proliferation and loss of chemoresistance to docetaxel. Moreover, other mRNAs, such as FASCN1, LASP1, MMP14, IGF1R, and GSTP1, are thought to be simultaneously regulated by MIR133A, which may have clinical significance as biomarkers and prognostic and therapeutic agents for aggressive PC [64].
Table 1 classifies the summarized study results into in vitro evidence, in vivo evidence, and clinical patient evidence, taking into account differences in the reliability of evidence across the reviewed studies. This classification allows for a clearer interpretation of MIR133A dysregulation, reported target genes, and biological effects across various cancer types.

4. MIR133A as Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker

MicroRNA emerged as a significant cancer hallmark after its identification in 2008 [65,66], with potential as a biomarker across various diseases, including cancer. The perfect biomarker ought to be simply accessible, highly specific, reliable, and reproducible, with high sensitivity often extracted through liquid biopsies such as urine, serum, blood, feces, and other bodily fluids. Despite recent advancement, the study of miRNAs is still in the inception phase. MiRNA expression varies across cancers, enabling precise classification and diagnosis [67]. MIR133A is promising as a diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker in tumor management, providing valuable insights for clinical decision-making and therapeutic implementation. Studies have shown its downregulation in various cancers, indicating its potential for early identification, which is crucial for improving five-year survival rates. For instance, Peterson et al. showed in oral squamous cell carcinoma that MIR133A was aberrantly expressed compared with control cell lines [68]. MIR133A shows higher expression in lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (LAHS) compared with benign diseases related to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, indicating its potential as a diagnostic marker for LAHS. However, further validation through clinical studies is necessary to confirm its efficacy and reliability [69]. MIR133A expression also correlates with conditions beyond cancer, such as atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness, vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation, apoptosis, inflammation, cardiac fibrosis, endothelial function and angiogenesis [70], and acute myocardial infraction (AMI) [71]. In breast cancer, downregulation of MIR133A is significantly linked with clinical stage, metastasis, and survival time [57]. ZiaSarabi et al. showed that MIR17, MIR25, and MIR133B have been proposed as biomarkers for the diagnosis of GC based on their expression levels compared with controls [72]. Furthermore, MIR133A expression differs between liver metastases and primary tumors, suggesting its potential in grading gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms [73]. Additionally, plasma levels of MIR133A are linked to blood pressure monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure parameters, potentially serving as potential prognostic biomarkers for white-coat hypertension detection [74].
Moreover, miRNAs exhibit stability and easy identification in serum, facilitated by their association with AGO2, micro-vesicle envelopment, and assistance from various proteins and lipids, ensuring their circulation in the bloodstream [75]. Hence, the multifaceted roles of microRNAs, particularly MIR133A, in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and beyond underscore their significance as promising biomarkers. Their differential expression patterns offer valuable insights into disease classification and management, with potential applications extending to cardiovascular and neuroendocrine conditions. Further validation through clinical studies is crucial to fully realize their diagnostic and prognostic utility.

5. Therapeutic Potentials

MiRNAs have significant therapeutic potential across different ailments, like tumors, cardiovascular disease, nervous system disorder, and infectious diseases. They can regulate gene expression and are targeted for therapies like miRNA replacement or inhibition to modulate disease processes. Challenges such as efficient delivery and off-target effects remain, but ongoing research aims to overcome these hurdles for clinical translation. Detecting miRNAs that are stably released into body fluids with a high level of sensitivity, specificity, and robustness in a non-invasive diagnostic method is challenging [76]. Various techniques, including real-time PCR, miRNA microarray assay, in situ hybridization, Western and Northern blots, and next generation sequencing (NGS) have been proposed to enhance miRNA detection sensitivity and specificity, yet specific target detection remains a challenge [77].
Despite these challenges, miRNAs have shown immense potential in cancer therapy. MIR133A, for instance, has demonstrated a significant role in inhibiting cancer both in vivo and in vitro; it exhibits multifaceted roles in inhibiting cancer progression through various mechanisms. Additionally, MIR133A deregulates angiogenic properties like proliferation rate, cell viability, migration [78], and adipocyte browning in vitro [79]. Furthermore, MIR133A obstructs the growth of in vitro triple-negative BC cells and inhibits lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and cell invasion by regulating genes like FLOT2 and YES1 [80]. Xiong et al. identified activated C kinase 1 receptor (RACK1) as a target gene of MIR133A and found that the transfection of glioma cells with MIR133A inhibited migration and invasion with increased cell death [81]. These data show that there is a strong reason to use MIR133A analogs in cancer treatment. While microRNA-based therapies are still in their infancy, ongoing research and accumulated experience in this field hold promise for future advances in tumor-specific microRNA-related cancer diagnosis and treatment.

6. Conclusions

This study shows that MIR133A is suppressed in various tumors and the downregulation of MIR133A is associated with cancer progression, growth, and metastasis. Various targets of MIR133A are being identified using the dual luciferase assay; however, the exact mechanisms and downstream inhibitory pathways remain unknown, suggesting the need for a combination of bioinformatics tools and wet-lab research to identify tumor-specific miRNA targets with prolonged effects. While this study focuses on the significance of MIR133A in the prognosis and diagnosis of malignancies, its targeted and cancer-specific use is still in the early stages. Therefore, we should be more focused on the clinical significance of MIR133A.

Author Contributions

G.S., Writing—Original Draft, Writing—Review and Editing, Visualization; S.L., Writing—Original Draft, Writing—Review and Editing, Visualization; S.-C.C., Conceptualization, Writing—Review and Editing, Supervision. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by Wonkwang University in 2024.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

No new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in this manuscript:
3′ UTR3′ Untranslated region
AKTAKT serine/threonine kinase
BRAFB-Raf Proto-Oncogene, Serine/Threonine Kinase
BCBreast cancer
CASCaspase
CDH1E cadherin
CDH2N Cadherin
CRCColorectal cancer
CTNNB1Beta catenin
EGFREpidermal growth factor receptor
EMTEpithelial–mesenchymal transition
ERBB2Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
ERKExtracellular signal-regulated kinase
FASCN1Fascin actin-bundling protein 1
FOXP3Forkhead box O3
FUSFused in sarcoma
GCGastric cancer
GSK3BGlycogen synthase kinase 3 beta
IGF1Rinsulin-like growth factor 1 receptor
LAHSLymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome
LCLung cancer
LC3BMicrotubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3
MAMLMastermind-like 1
MAPKMitogen-Activated Protein Kinase
MiRISCmiRNA-induced silencing complex
MMPMatrix metalloproteinases
PCProstate cancer
MIR133AMicroRNA 133A
PI3KPhosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
SOX2SRY-box transcription factor 2
VEGFVascular endothelial growth factor
VIMVimentin
YES1YES proto-oncogene 1

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Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the mechanism of biogenesis of microRNA. The biogenesis started at the nucleus, where the miRNA gene is translated to a double-stranded loop by RNA polymerase, which is cleaved by Drosha-DGCR8 complex to form a shorter miRNA. Exportin-5 transports the shorter miRNA to the cytoplasm, where it is processed using Dicer. After the formation of RISC complex, that unwinds mature miRNA, mature miRNA forms that recognizes and binds to the target complementary sequence of 3′ UTR of mRNAs. Image was created in BioRender Lamichhane, S. (2025).
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the mechanism of biogenesis of microRNA. The biogenesis started at the nucleus, where the miRNA gene is translated to a double-stranded loop by RNA polymerase, which is cleaved by Drosha-DGCR8 complex to form a shorter miRNA. Exportin-5 transports the shorter miRNA to the cytoplasm, where it is processed using Dicer. After the formation of RISC complex, that unwinds mature miRNA, mature miRNA forms that recognizes and binds to the target complementary sequence of 3′ UTR of mRNAs. Image was created in BioRender Lamichhane, S. (2025).
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Figure 2. Schematic of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in CRC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to an increase in the expression of its target genes SOX9, CDH3, RFFL, EGFR, SENP1, SP1, and eiF4A1. The upregulation of these genes directly or indirectly activates downstream or related pathways such as KRAS, PIK3CA, BCL2, MMP1, p53, RAS, and IGF1R, leading to decreased apoptosis and increased cell migration and metastasis.
Figure 2. Schematic of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in CRC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to an increase in the expression of its target genes SOX9, CDH3, RFFL, EGFR, SENP1, SP1, and eiF4A1. The upregulation of these genes directly or indirectly activates downstream or related pathways such as KRAS, PIK3CA, BCL2, MMP1, p53, RAS, and IGF1R, leading to decreased apoptosis and increased cell migration and metastasis.
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Figure 3. Schematic diagram of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in GC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to increased expression of IGF1R, SP1, USP39, and FOXP3. Upregulations of these genes directly or indirectly activate downstream or associated pathways, such as PI3K, CAS3, MMP9, and LC3B, leading to a decrease in apoptosis and increase in metastasis of GC.
Figure 3. Schematic diagram of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in GC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to increased expression of IGF1R, SP1, USP39, and FOXP3. Upregulations of these genes directly or indirectly activate downstream or associated pathways, such as PI3K, CAS3, MMP9, and LC3B, leading to a decrease in apoptosis and increase in metastasis of GC.
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Figure 4. Schematic diagram of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in LC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to an increase in the expression of YES1 and ERBB2. Upregulation of these genes directly or indirectly activates downstream or associated pathways, such as EGFR, CAS, CDH1, and CDH2, leading to a decrease in apoptosis and increase in metastasis of LC.
Figure 4. Schematic diagram of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in LC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to an increase in the expression of YES1 and ERBB2. Upregulation of these genes directly or indirectly activates downstream or associated pathways, such as EGFR, CAS, CDH1, and CDH2, leading to a decrease in apoptosis and increase in metastasis of LC.
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Figure 5. Schematic diagram of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in BC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to increase in MAML1, UCP2, FASCN1, and EGFR expression. Upregulations of these genes directly or indirectly activate downstream or associated pathways, such as VIM, CDH1, AKT, and MMP2, leading to decrease in apoptosis and increase in metastasis of BC.
Figure 5. Schematic diagram of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in BC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to increase in MAML1, UCP2, FASCN1, and EGFR expression. Upregulations of these genes directly or indirectly activate downstream or associated pathways, such as VIM, CDH1, AKT, and MMP2, leading to decrease in apoptosis and increase in metastasis of BC.
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Figure 6. Schematic diagram of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in PC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to increase in FUS, PNP, and MMP expression. Upregulation of these genes directly or indirectly activates downstream or associated pathways, such as AR, S6, ERK, EGFR, and SOX2, leading to decrease in apoptosis and increase in metastasis of PC.
Figure 6. Schematic diagram of the putative mechanism of MIR133A in PC. Downregulation of MIR133A expression leads to increase in FUS, PNP, and MMP expression. Upregulation of these genes directly or indirectly activates downstream or associated pathways, such as AR, S6, ERK, EGFR, and SOX2, leading to decrease in apoptosis and increase in metastasis of PC.
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Table 1. Target genes and biological effects of MIR133A in major cancers.
Table 1. Target genes and biological effects of MIR133A in major cancers.
Cancer TypeMIR133A ExpressionTarget Genes/PathwaysBiological EffectsEvidence Classification
Colorectal cancer (CRC)DownregulatedSOX9, RFFL, EGFR, SENP1, SP1, CDH3; associated with PI3K/AKT-, KRAS/MAPK-, and p53/p21- related pathwaysSuppresses cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, metastasis, EMT, and chemoresistance; promotes apoptosis and G0/G1 cell-cycle arrestMainly in vitro functional evidence; some clinical/tissue-expression evidence
Gastric cancer (GC)DownregulatedIGF1R, SP1, USP39, FOXP1, PI3K/AKT, MMP9, CCND1, and autophagy-related markers including LC3BInhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration; promotes apoptosis; may also regulate autophagy-associated survival depending on contextMainly in vitro evidence; limited clinical/prognostic evidence
Lung cancer/NSCLCDownregulated in NSCLC and lung cancer tissuesEGFR, YES1, LASP1, ERBB2, AKT/ERK, and TGF-β/SMAD pathwaysSuppresses cell growth, viability, EMT, migration, invasion, and tumor growth; induces apoptosis; associated with prognosis and survivalIn vitro, in vivo, and clinical patient evidence
Breast cancer (BC)Mostly downregulated in tissues/cells; circulating MIR133A reported as upregulated in some patient samplesEGFR, MAML1, UCP-2, FASCN1, AKT, Notch/EMT, and drug-resistance pathwaysInhibits cell growth, invasion, EMT, metastasis, and doxorubicin resistance; promotes cell-cycle arrest; associated with lymph node metastasis and poor survivalIn vitro, in vivo, and clinical patient evidence
Prostate cancer (PC)Downregulated; low expression associated with recurrence and metastasisAR, FUS, EGFR, IGFR1, MET, MCL1, FASCN1, LASP1, MMP14, GSTP1, PI3K/AKT, and androgen receptor signalingSuppresses androgen receptor-driven proliferation, bone metastasis, cell proliferation, and docetaxel chemoresistance; potential prognostic and therapeutic relevanceMainly in vitro and clinical/metastasis-associated evidence; some functional pathway evidence
Other reported cancers including cervical cancer, glioma, ovarian cancer, retinoblastoma, oral squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasmsMostly downregulated in several tumors; upregulated in LAHS and some circulating samplesSOX4, EGFR, CREB1, RACK1, and other tumor-specific targetsRegulates proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, diagnostic classification, and prognostic potentialMixed evidence: in vitro, clinical patient, and biomarker-based studies
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Sharma, G.; Lamichhane, S.; Chae, S.-C. MIR133A in Cancer Biology: Target Genes, Biological Effects, and Biomarker Potential. Genes 2026, 17, 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17070781

AMA Style

Sharma G, Lamichhane S, Chae S-C. MIR133A in Cancer Biology: Target Genes, Biological Effects, and Biomarker Potential. Genes. 2026; 17(7):781. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17070781

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Sharma, Grinsun, Santosh Lamichhane, and Soo-Cheon Chae. 2026. "MIR133A in Cancer Biology: Target Genes, Biological Effects, and Biomarker Potential" Genes 17, no. 7: 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17070781

APA Style

Sharma, G., Lamichhane, S., & Chae, S.-C. (2026). MIR133A in Cancer Biology: Target Genes, Biological Effects, and Biomarker Potential. Genes, 17(7), 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17070781

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