Mir148a, as a microRNA, plays diverse and crucial roles in multiple biological processes. It is part of the MIR148A family along with MIR148B and MIR152, sharing the same seed sequences. Mir148a has been implicated in regulating cell differentiation, with its family promoting cardiomyocyte differentiation from human embryonic stem cells by inhibiting the DLL1-mediated NOTCH signaling pathway, thus repressing paraxial mesodermal differentiation and enhancing lateral mesoderm and cardiomyocyte differentiation [1].

In cancer research, Mir148a exhibits tumor-suppressive properties. In IDH1-mutant gliomas, its promoter is hypermethylated, leading to silencing, and restoration of Mir148a reduces tumorigenic properties, potentially by targeting DNMT1 [2]. In ovarian cancer, overexpression of Mir148a decreases cell proliferation and invasion, partly through inhibition of its target gene TGFI2 [4]. Additionally, in human glioblastoma cells, knockdown of Mir148a combined with baicalin suppresses cell viability, proliferation, and induces apoptosis and autophagy [3].

In summary, Mir148a is involved in regulating cell differentiation and has tumor-suppressive functions in multiple cancers. Research using genetic models, such as loss-of-function experiments, has significantly enhanced our understanding of its roles in these biological processes and disease conditions, providing potential therapeutic targets for related diseases.