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Multidimensional crosstalk between RNA-binding proteins and noncoding RNAs in cancer biology
Ling Li1, Hui Miao1, Yanbo Chang2
1Center for Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Abstract:
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are well-known to bind RNA via a set of RNA-binding domains (RBDs) and determine the fate and function of their RNA targets; inversely, some RBPs, in certain cases, may be modulated by the bound RNAs rather than regulate their RNA partners. Current proteome-wide studies reveal that almost half of RBPs have no canonical RBDs, and the discovery of tens of thousands of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially those with the size larger than 200 nt (namely long noncoding RNAs, lncRNAs), makes the crosstalk between RBPs and RNAs more complicated. It is clear that macromolecular complexes formed by RBP and RNA are not only a form of existence of their RBP and RNA components in cells, but also represent a functional entity through which those RBPs and regulatory ncRNAs participate in the construction of regulatory networks in organism. In this review, we summarize the multidimensional crosstalk between RBPs and ncRNAs in cancer and discuss how RBPs achieve their function via the bound ncRNAs in different aspects of gene expression as well as how RBPs direct modification and processing of ncRNAs, in order to better understand tumor biology and provide new insights into development of strategies for cancer therapy and early detection.
Insights
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) engage in complex crosstalk within cancer. This review explores how RBPs influence gene expression through ncRNAs and how ncRNAs are modified by RBPs, offering insights into tumor biology and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Genomics
Background:
- RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate RNA targets, but some are modulated by RNA.
- Many RBPs lack canonical RNA-binding domains (RBDs).
- The discovery of numerous noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), complicates RBP-RNA interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multidimensional crosstalk between RBPs and ncRNAs in cancer.
- To elucidate how RBPs utilize bound ncRNAs to affect gene expression.
- To discuss how RBPs modulate ncRNA modification and processing.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current research on RBP-ncRNA interactions in cancer.
- Analysis of mechanisms underlying RBP-mediated gene regulation via ncRNAs.
- Examination of RBP roles in ncRNA processing and modification.
Main Results:
- RBP-ncRNA complexes are functional entities crucial for regulatory networks.
- RBPs influence gene expression through various mechanisms involving ncRNAs.
- RBPs play a role in directing the modification and processing of ncRNAs.
Conclusions:
- Understanding RBP-ncRNA crosstalk is vital for deciphering tumor biology.
- This complex interplay offers potential for novel cancer therapy strategies.
- Targeting RBP-ncRNA interactions may lead to new avenues for early cancer detection.
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