Epigenetic regulation of gastrointestinal cancers mediated by long non-coding RNAs

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), as well-known modulator of the epigenetic processes, have been shown to contribute to normal cellular physiological and pathological conditions such as cancer. Through the interaction with epigenetic regulators, an aberrant regulation of gene expression can be resulted due to their dysregulation, which in turn, can be involved in tumorigenesis. In the present study, we reviewed the lncRNAs’ function and mechanisms that contributed to aberrant epigenetic regulation, which is directly related to gastrointestinal cancer (GI) development and progression. Findings indicated that epigenetic alterations may involve in tumorigenesis and are valuable biomarkers in case of diagnosing, assessing of risk factors, and predicting of GI cancers. This review summarized the accumulated evidence for biological and clinical application to use lncRNAs in GI cancers, including colorectal, gastric, oral, liver, pancreatic and oesophageal cancer.

YAP/TAZ: Molecular pathway and disease therapy

“…And these histone modifications can occur in gene promoters and enhancer to affect gene expression 104 . Furthermore, noncoding RNA can also determine the direction of gene expression by influencing transcription and translation 105 . In fact, epigenetic regulation has been proven to be closely related to tumors, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic syndromes 106 .…”

“… 104 Furthermore, noncoding RNA can also determine the direction of gene expression by influencing transcription and translation. 105 In fact, epigenetic regulation has been proven to be closely related to tumors, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic syndromes. 106 In recent years, it has been found that the expression of YAP/TAZ can also be regulated by epigenetics and plays an important role in various diseases.…”

Regulation Mechanisms of Meiotic Recombination Revealed from the Analysis of a Fission Yeast Recombination Hotspot ade6-M26

“…They are involved in various biological processes, including gene regulation, development, nuclear organization, and cancer development [ 96 , 97 ]. Deregulation of several lncRNAs in cancer cells has been identified and such lncRNAs can be used as a cancer marker in the diagnosis [ 98 , 99 ]. The expressed lncRNAs may serve as enhancers, scaffolds, or decoys by interacting with other RNAs or proteins, resulting in the aberrant activation of genes required for cancer proliferations [ 100 ].…”