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Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
Long non-coding RNAs and microorganism-associated cancers
Reza Ranjbar1, Mojtaba Behjatfar2, Ali Teimouri3
1Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Cancerous cells are abnormal cells characterized by aberrant growth and proliferation, which can involve various types of cells and tissues. Through numerous signalling pathways, many mechanisms are involved in cells that keep them normal. These signalling pathways are tightly set by different proteins whose expression is regulated by a large number of factors. In other words, when a regulating factor does not act properly or undergoes a change in its function or expression, the result will be that the subordinate gene and subsequently the related protein will show deranged expression and activity. This leads to disordered signalling pathways which bring about uncontrolled proliferation in cells. One of the most significant factors in adjusting the expression of genes is noncoding RNAs. It should be noted that all underlying causes initiating malignancy try to alter the main regulatory factors in cellular processes and gene expression and direct the cell to an unregulated state. Microorganisms have been identified as one of the important elements to direct normal cells to abnormality. That is, they probably agitate the malignant traits through manipulating significant factors such as ncRNAs in given cells using their own or host-related factors. The present study is aimed at examining how the long noncoding RNAs are involved in microorganism-mediated cancers.
Insights
Microorganisms can trigger cancer by altering gene expression through long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). This study explores the role of lncRNAs in microorganism-mediated cancers, revealing a novel mechanism in cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cancer arises from abnormal cell growth driven by dysregulated signaling pathways.
- Gene expression, crucial for normal cellular function, is tightly regulated by factors including noncoding RNAs.
- Microorganisms are increasingly implicated in cancer development by potentially manipulating host cell regulatory mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancers induced by microorganisms.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which microbial agents may influence host lncRNA expression and contribute to malignancy.
Main Methods:
- This study reviews existing literature and research on the interplay between microorganisms, lncRNAs, and cancer.
- Analysis of molecular pathways affected by microbial manipulation of lncRNA expression.
Main Results:
- Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are identified as key mediators in microorganism-induced cancers.
- Microorganisms can exploit or alter lncRNA functions to promote uncontrolled cell proliferation and oncogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Long noncoding RNAs play a significant role in the pathogenesis of microorganism-mediated cancers.
- Targeting microbial-modulated lncRNAs presents a potential therapeutic strategy for specific cancer types.
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