<p>Regulatory Networks of LncRNA MALAT-1 in Cancer</p>

Abstract

Long noncoding (lnc)RNAs are a group of RNAs with a length greater than 200 nt that do not encode a protein but play an essential role in regulating the expression of target genes in normal biological contexts as well as pathologic processes including tumorigenesis. The lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript (MALAT)-1 has been widely studied in cancer. In this review, we describe the known functions of MALAT-1; its mechanisms of action; and associated signaling pathways and their clinical significance in different cancers. In most malignancies, including lung, colorectal, thyroid, and other cancers, MALAT-1 functions as an oncogene and is upregulated in tumors and tumor cell lines. MALAT-1 has a distinct mechanism of action in each cancer type and is thus at the center of large gene regulatory networks. Dysregulation of MALAT-1 affects cellular processes such as alternative splicing, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis, and autophagy, which ultimately results in the abnormal cell proliferation, invasion, and migration that characterize cancers. In other malignancies, such as glioma and endometrial carcinoma, MALAT-1 functions as a tumor suppressor and thus forms additional regulatory networks. The current evidence indicates that MALAT-1 and its associated signaling pathways can serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarker or therapeutic target in the treatment of many cancers.

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Pancreatic Cancer

“…Sox2ot acts as a miRNA sponge to the miR-200 family, upregulates Sox2 expression, and promotes EMT and stemness, suggesting that Sox2ot can accelerate invasion and metastasis of PDAC ( Li et al, 2018 ). MALAT-1 is one of the well-known oncogenic lncRNAs that act in diverse tumors, such as lung, hepatocellular or gastric cancers ( Fu et al, 2020 ). ( Jiao et al, 2015 ) reported that MALAT-1 promotes the EMT process and generates cancer stem cells (CSCs).…”

Non-Coding RNAs in Pancreatic Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy: Focus on lncRNAs, circRNAs, and piRNAs

“…MALAT-1 was firstly discovered in non-small cell lung cancer [96,97]. However, high expression of MALAT-1 has been found in various cancer tissues including pancreatic cancer [63,98,99]; therefore, MALAT-1 is considered as an oncogenic lncRNA. In pancreatic cancer, increased expression of MALAT-1 promoted cell growth, migration, and invasion [59].…”

Potential of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…MALAT1 is one of the earliest discovered and best-characterized lncRNAs with its primary role in cancer (reviewed in the work of [88]). However, it was also reported to be involved in retinal pathologies.…”