Long non-coding RNAs as key regulators of cancer metastasis

Abstract

The recent advances in functional genomics have discovered that a large number of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pervasively transcribed from the human genome. Increasing evidence further indicates that lncRNAs are important for gene expression during cell differentiation and development through various mechanisms such as nuclear organization, post-transcription regulation, alternative splicing, and epigenetic regulation. Thus, aberrant expression of lncRNAs can cause abnormality in those cellular functions and lead to various pathological conditions. One of such fatal consequences is cancer metastasis which is responsible for more than 90% of cancer-related deaths. A good understanding of how lncRNAs regulate different genetic and epigenetic changes during different stages of cancer metastasis is important not only for general cancer biology but also for identifi cation of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for treatment of metastatic cancer. A significant progress has been made regarding the role of lncRNAs in cancer for past several years. In this study, we first discuss general functions of lncRNAs and then highlight recent fi ndings of how lncRNAs impact cancer metastasis, and finally we provide our perspectives on clinical implications of lncRNAs.

Keywords

Cancer metastasis / epigenetics / gene regulation / long non-coding RNA

References

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