miRNA: AN INDISPENSABLE BIOMARKER FOR LEUKEMIA

MicroRNAs are small non–coding RNA molecules of 18-22 nucleotides which are well - conserved in eukaryotes. They are single stranded RNA which plays an important role in gene regulation. The aberrant expression of miRNA leads to interruption in various cellular functions which is a hallmark of different disease like leukemia. miRNA studies with the help of high throughput technologies help us to know different types of cytogenetic abnormalities related to leukemia. This review emphasizes mainly on miRNA biogenesis and leukemia pathology, role of miRNA as Oncomirs, latest techniques used for getting genetic signature of leukemia and examples of deregulated miRNAs expression in different types of leukemia. Thorough study of miRNA expression can lead to identification of new biomarkers which may be useful for detection of patterned signatures in subtypes of leukemia and diagnosis of disease will be more specific.