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Non-Coding RNA and Frizzled Receptors in Cancer

Alex J Smith1, Kayla M Sompel1, Alamelu Elango1

  • 1Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States.

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
|October 21, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate frizzled receptors, impacting Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer. Understanding these ncRNA-frizzled interactions offers potential for novel cancer therapies targeting these receptors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Frizzled receptors are key regulators of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, implicated in tumorigenesis.
  • Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer.
  • Dysregulation of ncRNAs affects the expression of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of ncRNA molecules that modulate frizzled receptor expression and downstream signaling in cancer.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting ncRNA-frizzled receptor interactions for cancer prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating ncRNA regulation of frizzled receptors.
  • Analysis of ncRNA involvement in Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation in cancer contexts.
  • Synthesis of findings on the direct and indirect effects of ncRNAs on frizzled protein expression.

Main Results:

  • ncRNAs, such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, directly or indirectly influence frizzled receptor expression.
  • These ncRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms impact Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a critical pathway in cancer progression.
  • Evidence suggests a significant role for ncRNA-frizzled receptor interactions in various cancers.

Conclusions:

  • ncRNA molecules represent promising targets for developing novel cancer therapies aimed at modulating frizzled receptor signaling.
  • Further pre-clinical research is essential to translate these findings into effective clinical applications for cancer treatment and prevention.
Keywords:
Wnt/B-catenincancerchemopreventationcircRNAfrizzledlncRNAmiRNAnon-coding RNA

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