A-to-I RNA Editing in Cancer: From Evaluating the Editing Level to Exploring the Editing Effects

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Genomics

Background:

• Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR)-induced A-to-I RNA editing is a crucial posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism in metazoans.
• RNA editing influences gene expression by altering protein sequences, RNA structures, and microRNA interactions, affecting cellular processes.
• While bioinformatics tools exist, standardized methods for RNA editing site identification are lacking, especially in cancer due to high DNA mutation rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and understand bioinformatics strategies for identifying A-to-I RNA editing in human cancers.
• To discuss recent advancements in the field of RNA editing within the context of cancer biology.
• To highlight the challenges in identifying and predicting the functional impact of RNA editing sites, particularly in non-coding regions and ncRNAs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of bioinformatics software and pipelines for RNA editing site identification.
• Analysis of existing research on the role of RNA editing in cancer.
• Discussion of challenges related to RNA sequencing protocols and high DNA mutation rates in tumor samples.

Main Results:

• A-to-I RNA editing can lead to non-synonymous mutations, altered RNA structures, and modified microRNA targeting.
• Numerous RNA editing sites are found in non-coding regions, affecting the biosynthesis and function of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) like miRNAs and circular RNAs.
• The functional prediction of RNA editing sites in non-coding regions and ncRNAs remains a significant challenge.

Conclusions:

• Bioinformatics strategies are essential for identifying A-to-I RNA editing in human cancers.
• RNA editing plays complex roles in cancer, exhibiting both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive effects.
• Further research is needed to standardize identification methods and elucidate the functional consequences of RNA editing in cancer.