Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
07:23
Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
1.2K
Non-coding RNAs, epigenetics, and cancer: tying it all together
Humberto J Ferreira1, Manel Esteller2,3,4
1Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Cancer Metastasis Reviews
|January 28, 2018
Summary
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a crucial role in cancer epigenetics, influencing gene regulation and chromatin structure. Understanding these ncRNAs offers new avenues for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The human genome contains vast non-coding regions with emerging functional significance.
- Gene regulation involves complex interactions between DNA, RNA, and proteins.
- Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epigenetic regulation of ncRNAs in cancer and metastases.
- To elucidate the role of ncRNAs in shaping cancer cell epigenetic profiles.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of ncRNAs in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of high-throughput technologies and mechanistic experimental studies.
- Analysis of epigenetic modifications affecting ncRNA expression.
- Investigation of ncRNA interactions with DNA methylation and histone modification.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic changes can lead to aberrant ncRNA expression during tumor progression.
- Aberrantly expressed ncRNAs induce significant epigenetic and transcriptional alterations.
- ncRNAs modulate DNA methylation and chromatin structure.
Conclusions:
- ncRNAs are key players in cancer epigenetic reprogramming.
- ncRNAs hold promise as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers.
- ncRNAs represent potential targets for novel cancer therapies.
Related Concept Videos
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
10.0K
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
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
3.7K
3.7K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
33.9K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.9K
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
3.9K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...
3.9K
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
18.8K
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
18.8K
02:57piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs
7.7K
PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
7.7K