Genome-Wide Expression Screening Discloses Long Noncoding RNAs Involved in Thyroid Carcinogenesis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in disease pathogenesis.
• The role of lncRNAs in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify lncRNAs with altered expression in PTC.
• To investigate the association between lncRNA expression and PTC clinicopathological features.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing was performed on paired PTC tumors and adjacent noncancerous tissues.
• Expression of lncRNAs was correlated with clinical parameters in independent PTC cohorts (Ohio, N=109; The Cancer Genome Atlas, N=497).

Main Results:

• 218 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified in PTC.
• Two specific lncRNAs (XLOC_051122 and XLOC_006074) significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (N stage) and BRAF(V600E) mutation.
• In silico analysis suggested these lncRNAs regulate cell movement and proliferation.

Conclusions:

• Two novel lncRNAs associated with adverse prognostic factors in PTC were discovered.
• These lncRNAs represent potential new players in PTC development and progression.