Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
07:23

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Published on: May 30, 2025

550

Non-coding antisense transcripts: fine regulation of gene expression in cancer

Francisco Santos1, Ana Maria Capela1, Francisca Mateus1

  • 1Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
|October 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are RNA molecules with roles in health and disease. This study examines non-coding NATs in cancer, particularly their function as miRNA sponges.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are RNA molecules transcribed from the same genomic locus in the opposite direction.
  • NATs are widely distributed in the human genome and involved in various physiological and pathological processes.
  • NATs add complexity to genome organization and present potential therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of non-coding NATs in cancer.
  • To focus on NATs functioning as microRNA (miRNA) sponges.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing data on NATs in cancer.
  • Focus on mechanisms of non-coding NATs, especially miRNA sponging.

Main Results:

  • Non-coding NATs play significant roles in cancer development and progression.
  • NATs acting as miRNA sponges sequester miRNAs, affecting gene expression and cellular functions relevant to cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Non-coding NATs, particularly miRNA sponges, represent a novel layer of gene regulation in cancer.
  • Targeting these NATs could offer new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Antisense transcriptsCancerLong non-coding RNAsceRNAslncRNAs

More Related Videos

Cell Based Assays of SINEUP Non-coding RNAs That Can Specifically Enhance mRNA Translation10:21

Cell Based Assays of SINEUP Non-coding RNAs That Can Specifically Enhance mRNA Translation

Published on: February 1, 2019

8.4K
Author Spotlight: Impact of Intergenic Interactions on Disease-Identifying Dark Biomarkers03:37

Author Spotlight: Impact of Intergenic Interactions on Disease-Identifying Dark Biomarkers

Published on: March 1, 2024

852

Related Concept Videos

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

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
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
976
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

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...
21.5K
What is Gene Expression?01:36

What is Gene Expression?

A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is comprised  of nucleotides and proteins are comprised of amino acids, a mediator is required to convert the information encoded in DNA into proteins. This mediator is the messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA copies the blueprint from DNA by a process called transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus by complementary base-pairing with the DNA template. The mRNA is then...
8.9K
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
23.0K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.1K