Role of microRNAs in oncogenesis: Insights from computational and systems-level modeling approaches

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) often govern the cell fate decision-making events associated with oncogenesis. miRNAs repress the target genes either by degrading the target mRNA or inhibiting the process of translation. However, mathematical and computational modeling of miRNA-mediated target gene regulation in various cellular network motifs indicates that miRNAs play a much more complex role in cellular decision-making events. In this review, we give an overview of the quantitative insights obtained from mathematical modeling of miRNA-mediated gene regulations by highlighting the various factors associated with it that are pivotal in diversifying the cell fate decisions related to oncogenesis. Intriguingly, recent experiments suggest that under certain circumstances, miRNAs can lead to more complex gene regulatory dynamics by causing target gene upregulation. We discuss these modeling approaches that can help in understanding the subtleties of miRNA effects in oncogenesis.