Genome-wide discovery and characterization of long noncoding RNAs in patients with multiple myeloma

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in a wide range of biological processes in tumorigenesis. However, the role of lncRNA expression in the biology, prognosis, and molecular classification of human multiple myeloma (MM) remains unclear, especially the biological functions of the vast majority of lncRNAs. Recently, lncRNAs have been identified in neoplastic hematologic disorders. Evidence has accumulated on the molecular mechanisms of action of lncRNAs, providing insight into their functional roles in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to characterize potential lncRNAs in patients with MM.

In this study, the whole-transcriptome strand-specific RNA sequencing of samples from three newly diagnosed patients with MM was performed. The whole transcriptome, including lncRNAs, microRNAs, and mRNAs, was analyzed. Using these data, MM lncRNAs were systematically analyzed, and the lncRNAs involved in the occurrence of MM were identified.

The results revealed that MM lncRNAs had distinctive characteristics different from those of other malignant tumors. Further, the functions of a set of lncRNAs preferentially expressed in MM were verified, and several lncRNAs were identified as competing endogenous RNAs. More importantly, the aberrant expression of certain lncRNAs, including maternally expressed gene3, colon cancer-associated transcript1, and coiled-coil domain-containing 26, as well as some novel lncRNAs involved in the occurrence of MM was established. Further, lncRNAs were related to some microRNAs, regulated each other, and participated in MM development.

Genome-wide screening and functional analysis enabled the identification of a set of lncRNAs involved in the occurrence of MM. The interaction exists among microRNAs and lncRNAs.