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Updated: Nov 7, 2025
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
Small nucleolar RNA host genes promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition lead cancer progression and metastasis
Alessio Biagioni1, Shima Tavakol2, Nooshin Ahmadirad2
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Florence, Italy.
Abstract:
The small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) belong to the long non-coding RNAs and are reported to be able to influence all three levels of cellular information-bearing molecules, that is, DNA, RNA, and proteins, resulting in the generation of complex phenomena. As the host genes of the small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), they are commonly localized in the nucleolus, where they exert multiple regulatory functions orchestrating cellular homeostasis and differentiation as well as metastasis and chemoresistance. Indeed, worldwide literature has reported their involvement in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of different histotypes of cancer, being able to exploit peculiar features, for example, the possibility to act both in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Moreover, SNHGs regulation is a fundamental topic to better understand their role in tumor progression albeit such mechanism is still debated. Here, we reviewed the biological functions of SNHGs in particular in the EMT process and discussed the perspectives for new cancer therapies.
Insights
Small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) are long non-coding RNAs impacting DNA, RNA, and proteins. This review explores their role in cancer
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Genetics
Background:
- Small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) are long non-coding RNAs involved in regulating DNA, RNA, and protein expression.
- SNHGs, as host genes for small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), are primarily located in the nucleolus and play critical roles in cellular homeostasis, differentiation, metastasis, and chemoresistance.
- Their involvement in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) across various cancer histotypes highlights their complex regulatory functions in both the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological functions of SNHGs, with a specific focus on their role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process.
- To discuss the regulatory mechanisms of SNHGs in tumor progression, acknowledging that these mechanisms are still under investigation.
- To explore the potential of SNHGs as targets for novel cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on SNHGs and their functions.
- Analysis of studies investigating the role of SNHGs in cellular processes, particularly EMT.
- Synthesis of information regarding SNHG regulation and therapeutic implications.
Main Results:
- SNHGs significantly influence gene expression at DNA, RNA, and protein levels, contributing to complex cellular phenomena.
- SNHGs are implicated in key cancer processes including metastasis and chemoresistance.
- Evidence suggests SNHGs play a crucial role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a vital process in cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- SNHGs are versatile regulators involved in fundamental cellular processes and cancer development.
- Understanding SNHG regulation is crucial for deciphering their role in tumor progression.
- SNHGs present promising avenues for the development of innovative cancer treatment strategies.
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