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Long Noncoding RNAs in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Tumor Suppression Versus Tumor Promotion
Mina Khajehdehi1, Mohammad Khalaj-Kondori2, Tayyebeh Ghasemi1
1Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract:
Approximately 80% of the human genome harbors biochemical marks of active transcription that its majority transcribes to noncoding RNAs, namely long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). LncRNAs are heterogeneous RNA transcripts that regulate critical biological processes such as cell survival and death. They involve in the progression of different cancers by affecting transcriptional and post-transcriptional modifications as well as epigenetic control of numerous tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Recent findings show that aberrant expression of lncRNAs is associated with tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and overall survival of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Some lncRNAs play as tumor suppressors in all GI cancers, but others play as tumor promoters. However, some other lncRNAs might function as a tumor suppressor in one GI cancer, but as a tumor promoter in another GI cancer type. This fact highlights possible context dependency of the expression patterns and roles of at least some lncRNAs in GI cancer development and progression. Here, we review the functional relation of lncRNAs involved in the development and progression of GI cancer by focusing on their roles as tumor suppressor and tumor promoter genes.
Insights
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, influencing tumor initiation and progression. Their roles as tumor suppressors or promoters can vary depending on the specific GI cancer type.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Oncology
Background:
- Approximately 80% of the human genome is transcribed into noncoding RNAs, primarily long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs).
- lncRNAs are critical regulators of biological processes, including cell survival and death.
- Aberrant lncRNA expression is implicated in various cancers, affecting gene regulation and epigenetic control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional roles of lncRNAs in the development and progression of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
- To elucidate the dual roles of lncRNAs as tumor suppressors and tumor promoters in GI malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent findings on lncRNA involvement in GI cancers.
- Analysis of lncRNA expression patterns and their association with tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and patient survival.
- Examination of context-dependent functions of lncRNAs in different GI cancer types.
Main Results:
- lncRNAs are significantly associated with tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and overall survival in GI cancers.
- Some lncRNAs function as tumor suppressors across all GI cancers.
- Other lncRNAs act as tumor promoters, while some exhibit context-dependent roles, acting as suppressors in one GI cancer and promoters in another.
Conclusions:
- lncRNAs play multifaceted roles in GI cancer development and progression.
- The context-dependent functions of lncRNAs highlight the complexity of their involvement in GI tumorigenesis.
- Understanding these roles is crucial for developing targeted therapies for GI cancers.
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