Non-Coding RNAs in Breast Cancer: Intracellular and Intercellular Communication

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Genetics

Background:

• Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial regulators of intracellular and intercellular signaling pathways in breast cancer.
• ncRNAs influence critical cellular processes such as estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) activity, proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis, and stemness.
• ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), can be packaged into exosomes for intercellular communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the biogenesis and roles of various ncRNAs (snRNA, circRNA, piRNA, miRNA, lncRNA) in breast cancer.
• To review established targets of miRNAs and lncRNAs acting as oncogenic drivers and tumor suppressors in breast tumors.
• To highlight specific lncRNAs with altered expression in breast tumors and discuss their putative functions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on ncRNAs, particularly miRNAs and lncRNAs, dysregulated in breast tumors.
• Analysis of established targets of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive miRNAs and lncRNAs.
• Identification and functional assessment of selected lncRNAs with altered expression in breast cancer.

Main Results:

• Specific ncRNAs, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, are significantly dysregulated in breast tumors.
• Increased levels of lncRNAs such as NEAT1, MALAT1, SRA1, CCAT2, CRNDE, MIAT, and LINC-ROR were observed.
• Decreased levels of the lncRNA MEG3 were noted in breast tumors.

Conclusions:

• miRNAs and lncRNAs play critical roles in breast cancer progression and can serve as biomarkers.
• Dysregulated ncRNAs, particularly miRNAs and lncRNAs, represent promising targets for therapeutic intervention in breast cancer.
• Further research is essential to translate the therapeutic potential of ncRNA regulation into clinical applications.