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An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
Published on: May 21, 2019
Exploring the Relationship between Fusion Genes and MicroRNAs in Cancer
Saurav Panicker1, Gautham Chengizkhan2, Ravi Gor1
1Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bio-Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract:
Fusion genes are key cancer driver genes that can be used as potential drug targets in precision therapies, and they can also serve as accurate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The fusion genes can cause microRNA (miRNA/miR) aberrations in many types of cancer. Nevertheless, whether fusion genes incite miRNA aberrations as one of their many critical oncogenic functionalities for driving carcinogenesis needs further investigation. Recent discoveries of miRNA genes that are present within the regions of genomic rearrangements that initiate fusion gene-based intronic miRNA dysregulation have brought the fusion genes into the limelight and revealed their unexplored potential in the field of cancer biology. Fusion gene-based 'promoter-switch' event aberrantly activate the miRNA-related upstream regulatory signals, while fusion-based coding region alterations disrupt the original miRNA coding loci. Fusion genes can potentially regulate the miRNA aberrations regardless of the protein-coding capability of the resultant fusion transcript. Studies on out-of-frame fusion and nonrecurrent fusion genes that cause miRNA dysregulation have attracted the attention of researchers on fusion genes from an oncological perspective and therefore could have potential implications in cancer therapies. This review will provide insights into the role of fusion genes and miRNAs, and their possible interrelationships in cancer.
Insights
Fusion genes drive cancer by altering microRNAs (miRNAs), impacting gene regulation. Understanding these fusion genes and miRNA interactions offers new avenues for cancer diagnostics and precision therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fusion genes are critical drivers in cancer, serving as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
- Fusion genes are known to induce microRNA (miRNA) aberrations in various cancers.
- The precise role of fusion genes in inciting miRNA aberrations during carcinogenesis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the intricate relationship between fusion genes and microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation in cancer.
- To highlight the potential of fusion genes as regulators of miRNA aberrations.
- To discuss the implications of these interactions for cancer biology and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on fusion genes, genomic rearrangements, and miRNA dysregulation.
- Analysis of mechanisms by which fusion genes impact miRNA expression, including promoter-switch events and coding region alterations.
- Examination of studies focusing on out-of-frame and nonrecurrent fusion genes related to miRNA dysregulation.
Main Results:
- Fusion genes can aberrantly activate miRNA-related regulatory signals via promoter-switch events.
- Fusion genes can disrupt miRNA coding loci through alterations in coding regions.
- Fusion genes regulate miRNA aberrations irrespective of the fusion transcript's protein-coding potential.
Conclusions:
- Fusion genes play a significant role in miRNA dysregulation, contributing to cancer development.
- Understanding fusion gene-miRNA interplay is crucial for advancing cancer diagnostics and prognostics.
- Targeting fusion gene-miRNA interactions presents promising opportunities for novel cancer therapies.
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