The copious capabilities of non-coding RNAs in cancer regulation, diagnosis and treatment

Aideen McCabe1, Oza Zaheed1, Magdalina Derlipanska2

  • 1School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, University College Cork, Ireland; The SFI Centre for Research Training in Genomics Data Science, Ireland.

Insights

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play crucial roles in cancer development and prevention. Research into ncRNA diagnostics and therapeutics, including liquid biopsies, offers revolutionary potential for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology and Molecular Biology
  • Genetics and Genomics

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, with 10 million annual fatalities.
  • Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their dual roles in promoting or inhibiting cancer.

Approach:

  • This review synthesizes current knowledge on diverse ncRNA types, including microRNAs, tRNA-derived small RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs.
  • It examines their involvement in cancer progression and prevention mechanisms.

Key Points:

  • Specific ncRNAs like microRNAs and lncRNAs are implicated in oncogenesis and tumor suppression.
  • Diagnostic potential lies in detecting ncRNAs in liquid biopsies.
  • Therapeutic strategies focus on targeting ncRNAs with small inhibitory molecules.

Conclusions:

  • ncRNAs represent a promising frontier for novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
  • Further research into cancer-associated ncRNAs and ncRNA-based technologies could revolutionize patient care.

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...
8.6K
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 the pre-miRNA...
3.0K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
6.1K
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

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...
5.8K
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
26.1K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

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...
3.8K