Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2025
07:23
Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
607
Emerging Roles of Long Noncoding RNAs in Breast Cancer Epigenetics and Epitranscriptomics
Elżbieta Wanowska1,2, Klaudia Samorowska2, Michał Wojciech Szcześniak2
1Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|July 22, 2022
Summary
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in breast cancer (BC) by influencing epigenetic and epitranscriptomic changes. Understanding lncRNAs offers potential for novel BC biomarkers and therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Breast cancer (BC) development involves genetic and epigenetic alterations.
- Epigenetics encompasses reversible gene expression changes without altering DNA sequence.
- Epitranscriptomic modifications, like RNA editing (adenine to inosine), also occur in BC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in epigenetic and epitranscriptomic processes in breast cancer.
- To explore methods and tools for studying lncRNA functions.
- To outline current challenges in applying lncRNAs in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of existing research on lncRNAs in BC epigenetics and epitranscriptomics.
- Review of methodologies for lncRNA investigation.
Main Results:
- lncRNAs are implicated in various aspects of BC biology.
- lncRNAs are involved in epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications).
- lncRNAs participate in epitranscriptomic regulation, including RNA editing.
Conclusions:
- lncRNAs are significant regulators of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic landscapes in breast cancer.
- lncRNAs hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BC.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges in clinical translation of lncRNA-based strategies.
Related Concept Videos
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
8.8K
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
8.8K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
31.3K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
31.3K
01:20Types of RNA
6.1K
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
RNA Performs Diverse...
6.1K
01:22MicroRNAs
3.1K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.1K
01:53RNA Stability
33.9K
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
33.9K
02:55The Nucleolus
9.1K
The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...
9.1K