Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
07:23

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Published on: May 30, 2025

1.3K

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
PubMed

Insights

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.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Impact of Intergenic Interactions on Disease-Identifying Dark Biomarkers03:37

Author Spotlight: Impact of Intergenic Interactions on Disease-Identifying Dark Biomarkers

Published on: March 1, 2024

1.4K
CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis10:40

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

2.9K

Related Concept Videos

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
10.0K
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

3.8K
Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
13.6K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.2K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.4K
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
10.2K