Non-coding RNAs and gastric cancer

World J Gastroenterol. 2014 May 14;20(18):5411-9. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5411.

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play key roles in development, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Altered ncRNA expression is associated with gastric cancer occurrence, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is significantly related to gastric cancer tumor stage, size, differentiation and metastasis. MiRNAs interrupt cellular signaling pathways, inhibit the activity of tumor suppressor genes, and affect the cell cycle in gastric cancer cells. Some miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-106a and miR-421, could be potential markers for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a new research hotspot among cancer-associated ncRNAs, play important roles in epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Several gastric cancer-associated lncRNAs, such as CCAT1, GACAT1, H19, and SUMO1P3, have been explored. In addition, Piwi-interacting RNAs, another type of small ncRNA that is recognized by gastroenterologists, are involved in gastric carcinogenesis, and piR-651/823 represents an efficient diagnostic biomarker of gastric cancer that can be detected in the blood and gastric juice. Small interfering RNAs also function in post-transcriptional regulation in gastric cancer and might be useful in gastric cancer treatment.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Long non-coding RNA; MicroRNA; Non-coding RNA; Piwi-interacting RNA; Small interfering RNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA, Untranslated