Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025
07:23
Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
465
Emerging roles of noncoding RNAs in human cancers
Shijie Wu1, Yiwen Wu1, Sijun Deng1
1School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, 28 Western Changsheng Road, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
Discover Oncology
|July 13, 2023
Summary
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), crucial regulators of gene expression, are implicated in the development and progression of various human cancers. Understanding ncRNAs like microRNAs (miRNAs) offers potential for novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Oncology
Background:
- Most cellular RNA is non-coding RNA (ncRNA), playing a significant role in gene expression and human pathology.
- ncRNAs, including miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA, are increasingly recognized for their involvement in cancer development.
- Dysregulation of ncRNAs is linked to the occurrence and prognosis of major cancers such as gastric, breast, and lung cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biosynthesis and characteristics of key non-coding RNAs (miRNA, circRNA, lncRNA).
- To elucidate the multifaceted roles of these ncRNAs in human cancers.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms by which ncRNAs influence cancer progression.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review on ncRNA biosynthesis, characteristics, and functions in cancer.
- Analysis of current research on the roles of miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA in various human malignancies.
- Examination of molecular mechanisms linking ncRNA dysregulation to cancer pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Established the fundamental roles of various ncRNAs in numerous cancer types.
- Highlighted microRNAs (miRNAs) as a particularly active area of cancer research.
- Confirmed the association between ncRNA imbalance and the incidence and prognosis of gastric, breast, and lung cancers.
Conclusions:
- ncRNAs are critical players in human cancer, influencing both disease development and patient outcomes.
- Further investigation into ncRNAs may yield novel biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and therapeutic targets.
- Understanding ncRNA mechanisms provides a foundation for developing innovative cancer treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
8.7K
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...
8.7K
01:20Types of RNA
5.9K
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...
5.9K
01:22MicroRNAs
3.0K
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...
3.0K
02:55The Nucleolus
8.9K
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,...
8.9K
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
9.0K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.0K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
3.8K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K