Long noncoding RNAs: Undeciphered cellular codes encrypting keys of colorectal cancer pathogenesis

Cancer Lett. 2018 Mar 28:417:89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.12.033. Epub 2018 Jan 3.

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs are non-protein coding transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides in length. By the advance in genetic and bioinformatic technologies, the new genomic landscape including noncoding transcripts has been revealed. Despite their non-capacity to be translated into proteins, lncRNAs have a versatile functions through various mechanisms interacting with other cellular molecules including DNA, protein, and RNA. Recent research interest and endeavor have identified the functional role of lncRNAs in various diseases including cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is not only one of the most frequent cancer but also one of the cancer types with remarkable achievements in lncRNA research. Of the numerous notable lncRNAs identified and characterized in CRC, we will focus on key lncRNAs with the high potential as CRC-specific biomarkers in this review.

Keywords: Cancer-associated region long noncoding RNA (CARLo); Colorectal Neoplasia Differentially Expressed (CRNDE); Colorectal cancer (CRC); Colorectal cancer associated transcript (CCAT); Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA); MYC-regulated long noncoding RNA (MYCLo).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genome, Human / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • RNA, Long Noncoding