Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis
10:40

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

2.7K

Editing and Chemical Modifications on Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer: A New Tale with Clinical Significance

Ligia I Torsin1, George E D Petrescu2,3, Alexandru A Sabo4

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Elias Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Dysregulated non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their modifications are hallmarks of cancer. Understanding these ncRNA modifications is crucial for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in oncology.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer.
  • Alterations in the ncRNA transcriptome are a novel hallmark of cancer.
  • Mechanisms regulating ncRNAs, particularly post-transcriptional modifications, are emerging areas of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review common regulatory modifications of ncRNAs in cancer.
  • To discuss chemical modifications (e.g., m5C, m6A) and editing (e.g., ADAR, APOBEC) of microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs.
  • To highlight the clinical relevance of understanding ncRNA modifications for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on ncRNA modifications in cancer.
  • Synthesis of information on reversible (chemical) and non-reversible (editing) modifications.
  • Focus on microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulated levels of ncRNAs are prevalent across various cancer types.
  • Specific chemical modifications and editing events are altered in cancer and contribute to tumorigenesis.
  • These modifications impact the function of ncRNAs, influencing cancer development.

Conclusions:

  • ncRNA modifications represent a critical regulatory layer in cancer.
  • Understanding these modifications is essential for translating ncRNA research into clinical applications.
  • Targeting ncRNA modifications holds potential for novel cancer therapies and diagnostics.
Keywords:
RNA chemical modificationsRNA editingcancercircular RNA.long non-coding RNAmicroRNAnon-coding RNA

More Related Videos

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells07:23

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Published on: May 30, 2025

870
Using RNA-sequencing to Detect Novel Splice Variants Related to Drug Resistance in In Vitro Cancer Models09:58

Using RNA-sequencing to Detect Novel Splice Variants Related to Drug Resistance in In Vitro Cancer Models

Published on: December 9, 2016

14.0K

Related Concept Videos

RNA Editing02:23

RNA Editing

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...
9.5K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.4K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
23.2K
Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay02:27

Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay

The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
11.3K
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
8.3K
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

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...
9.4K