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RNA Editing

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RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...

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Related Experiment Video

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Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

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Published on: June 20, 2015

RNA editing-dependent epitranscriptome diversity in cancer stem cells.

Qingfei Jiang¹, Leslie A Crews¹, Frida Holm¹

¹Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.

Nature Reviews. Cancer

|April 19, 2017

Summary

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) evolve through natural selection, influenced by epitranscriptomic changes. These RNA modifications drive tumor growth and drug resistance, offering new therapeutic targets.

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Dissociation of Human and Mouse Tumor Tissue Samples for Single-cell RNA Sequencing

Dissociation of Human and Mouse Tumor Tissue Samples for Single-cell RNA Sequencing

Published on: August 16, 2024

Area of Science:

Oncology
Molecular Biology
Epigenetics

Background:

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess self-renewal and dormancy capabilities, driving tumor regeneration and progression.
Tumor evolution, akin to natural selection, is influenced by genetic mutations, epigenetic changes, and potentially the epitranscriptome.
The epitranscriptome, involving RNA modifications and RNA-binding proteins, dynamically regulates gene expression and RNA function.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of RNA processing and epitranscriptomic alterations in cancer stem cell generation and maintenance.
To explore the mechanisms of RNA methylation, editing, and splicing in the context of CSCs.
To highlight the potential of epitranscriptomic events as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on malignant RNA processing in CSCs.
Discussion of RNA methylation, RNA editing, and RNA splicing mechanisms.
Analysis of the functional consequences of aberrant epitranscriptomic regulation in human cancers.

Main Results:

Epitranscriptomic deregulation contributes significantly to the generation and maintenance of cancer stem cells.
Aberrant RNA processing mechanisms, including methylation, editing, and splicing, are implicated in CSC biology.
Dysregulated epitranscriptomic events are linked to cancer progression and the development of drug resistance.

Conclusions:

Malignant RNA processing plays a critical role in cancer stem cell generation, maintenance, and drug resistance.
Epitranscriptomic alterations represent promising novel biomarkers for CSCs.
Targeting epitranscriptomic events offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.