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The Functional Characterization of Epigenetically Related lncRNAs Involved in Dysregulated CeRNA-CeRNA Networks

Dahua Xu1, Liqiang Wang2, Sainan Pang3

  • 1Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|July 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals epigenetically regulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that disrupt competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in cancer. These lncRNAs offer potential new targets for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) by binding microRNAs (miRNAs).
  • ceRNA networks are frequently dysregulated in cancer, but upstream epigenetic regulators are understudied.
  • Understanding epigenetic control of ceRNA networks is crucial for cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To construct lncRNA-associated dysregulated ceRNA networks across eight cancer types.
  • To identify epigenetically regulated lncRNAs (ER lncRNAs) involved in these networks.
  • To explore the potential of ER lncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of lncRNA-associated dysregulated ceRNA networks.
  • Integration of lncRNA methylation profiles with expression data.
  • Identification and evaluation of epigenetically related lncRNAs across multiple cancer types.
  • Analysis of ER lncRNA roles in cancer hallmarks and their predictive potential.

Main Results:

  • Identified 49 ER lncRNAs, including epigenetically activated (EA) and silenced (ES) lncRNAs, across eight cancer types.
  • Screened nine pan-cancer ER lncRNAs (six EA, three ES) that regulate cancer hallmarks via ceRNA mechanisms.
  • Demonstrated that integrating expression and methylation profiles of these nine lncRNAs robustly predicts cancer incidence and outcome.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic regulation significantly impacts lncRNA-mediated ceRNA networks in cancer.
  • Nine specific ER lncRNAs show potential as pan-cancer therapeutic targets.
  • These findings offer novel insights into methylation's role in ceRNA regulation and provide biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Keywords:
diagnosticdysregulated ceRNAepigenetically related lncRNApan-cancerprognosis

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