MicroRNA in Prostate, Bladder, and Kidney Cancer: A Systematic Review James W.F. Catto, Antonio Alcaraz, Anders S. Bjartell, Ralph De Vere White, Christopher P. Evans, Susanne Fussel, Freddie C. Hamdy, Olli Kallioniemi, Lourdes Mengual, Thorsten Schlomm, Tapio Visakorpi  European Urology  Volume 59, Issue 5, Pages 671-681 (May 2011) DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2011.01.044 Copyright © 2011 Terms and Conditions

Fig. 1 Illustration of microRNA (miRNA) synthesis and the mechanism of messenger RNA (mRNA) regulation. The mature miRNA is incorporated into an RNA-induced silencing complex together with Argonaut proteins. This complex is targeted to mRNA through the miRNA seed region and, when annealed, induces either complete mRNA degradation (by perfect annealing, as seen in plants) or the alteration of translation (with imperfect miRNA/mRNA annealing, as seen in mammals). miRNA=microRNA; RISC=RNA-induced silencing complex. European Urology 2011 59, 671-681DOI: (10.1016/j.eururo.2011.01.044) Copyright © 2011 Terms and Conditions

Fig. 2 Targeting of the apoptotic pathway in prostate cancer (PCa). Numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) target the apoptotic cascade in PCa in a synchronous manner, as illustrated. The carcinogenic expression of each miRNA is shown (arrow up/down), and each event shown produces an antiapoptosis pressure. Avoidance of apoptosis is a key carcinogenic event. European Urology 2011 59, 671-681DOI: (10.1016/j.eururo.2011.01.044) Copyright © 2011 Terms and Conditions

Fig. 3 The role of microRNA in the biology of bladder cancer (BCa). Low- and high-grade BCa instances are characterised by distinct molecular pathways. In particular, low-grade cancers have downregulation of miRs-99a/100 to induce upregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (prior to mutation). High-grade tumours develop numerous genetic and epigenetic events, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition mediated by the miR-200 family, suppression of the p53 network (by miR-21), apoptosis avoidance (by miRs-143/145), and proliferation mediated by E2F transcription factor 3 upregulation following miR-125b downregulation. BCa=bladder cancer; miR=microRNA; EMT = epithelial-mesenchymal transition. European Urology 2011 59, 671-681DOI: (10.1016/j.eururo.2011.01.044) Copyright © 2011 Terms and Conditions