The Functions and Unique Features of LncRNAs in Cancer Development and Tumorigenesis

Abstract

Over the past decades, research on cancer biology has focused on the involvement of protein-coding genes in cancer development. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that lack protein-coding potential, are an important class of RNA molecules that are involved in a variety of biological functions. Although the functions of a majority of lncRNAs have yet to be clarified, some lncRNAs have been shown to be associated with human diseases such as cancer. LncRNAs have been shown to contribute to many important cancer phenotypes through their interactions with other cellular macromolecules including DNA, protein and RNA. Here we describe the literature regarding the biogenesis and features of lncRNAs. We also present an overview of the current knowledge regarding the roles of lncRNAs in cancer from the view of various aspects of cellular homeostasis, including proliferation, survival, migration and genomic stability. Furthermore, we discuss the methodologies used to identify the function of lncRNAs in cancer development and tumorigenesis. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involving lncRNA functions in cancer is critical for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against tumorigenesis.

The Effect and Mechanism of lncRNA NR2F1-As1/miR-493-5p/MAP3K2 Axis in the Progression of Gastric Cancer

“…LncRNAs regulate gene expression at multiple levels, including changing chromatin status, binding to miRNAs and mRNAs to regulate genes' expression, and binding to RNA-binding proteins to mediate intracellular signaling [9,10]. In recent years, great progress has been made in the research on the relationship between lncRNAs and tumor development and metastasis [11,12]. H19 was negatively correlated with the prognosis of GC and played the carcinogenic role by regulating miRNAs and genes in GC [13][14][15].…”

The Hypoxia–Long Noncoding RNA Interaction in Solid Cancers

“…LncRNAs can regulate a broad range of cellular signaling regardless of oxygen levels [ 17 , 216 , 217 ], and solid cancers are heterogeneous in terms of oxygenation [ 218 ]. Therefore, targeting an individual lncRNA can have a chance of controlling both well-oxygenated and hypoxic cancer cells.…”

The Effect of Genomic DNA Contamination on the Detection of Circulating Long Non-Coding RNAs: The Paradigm of MALAT1

“…lncRNAs have been evaluated as novel tumor biomarkers, not only in diagnosis and prognosis, but also in targeted therapy for different types of cancer [ 40 , 41 ]. RT-qPCR is extensively used for the quantification of lncRNAs transcripts.…”