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The Epitranscriptome of Noncoding RNAs in Cancer
Manel Esteller1,2,3, Pier Paolo Pandolfi4
1Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ppandolf@bidmc.harvard.edu mesteller@idibell.cat.
Cancer Discovery
|March 22, 2017
Summary
The epitranscriptome, or RNA modifications, is disrupted in cancer. Understanding these changes and their regulators offers new clinical insights for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Post-transcriptional modifications regulate RNA activity.
- The epitranscriptome, encompassing chemical RNA changes, is crucial for cellular function.
- Recent high-throughput sequencing advances have revealed these modifications in human cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the disruption of the epitranscriptome in cancer.
- To explore the role of epitranscriptome regulators (writers, readers, erasers) in cellular transformation.
- To focus on epigenetic modifications of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on epitranscriptomics and cancer.
- Analysis of high-throughput sequencing data related to RNA modifications.
- Focus on epigenetic modifications of ncRNAs.
Main Results:
- The epitranscriptome is significantly altered in cancer cells.
- Specific writers, readers, and erasers contribute to cancer development.
- Epigenetic modifications of ncRNAs are implicated in cellular transformation.
Conclusions:
- Altered RNA modifications are a hallmark of cancer.
- Targeting epitranscriptome regulators presents potential therapeutic strategies.
- Translating knowledge of RNA modifications into clinical applications is a key future direction.
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