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Related Concept Videos

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

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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...
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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.
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Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
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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.
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MicroRNAs01:22

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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...
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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.
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Adaptive Significance of Non-coding RNAs: Insights from Cancer Biology.

John F McDonald1

  • 1Professor Emeritus, School of Biological Sciences, Integrated Cancer Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Molecular Biology and Evolution
|January 6, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Environmentally-induced epigenetic changes, mediated by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), may drive adaptive evolution and cancer progression. These ncRNAs can be inherited across generations, facilitating adaptation.

Keywords:
adaptationcancerevolutionnon-coding RNAstransgenerational inheritance

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Cancer biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Adaptive evolution and cancer progression share molecular similarities.
  • Environmentally-induced epigenetic changes are of significant interest.
  • Stress-induced non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are implicated in cancer's epigenetic alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of ncRNAs in environmentally-induced epigenetic changes.
  • To investigate the transferability of ncRNAs from somatic to germline cells.
  • To propose a model for ncRNA-mediated adaptation in evolution and cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on ncRNAs in evolution and cancer.
  • Analysis of findings on stress-induced ncRNAs and epigenetic modifications.
  • Synthesis of observations to formulate a general model and hypotheses.

Main Results:

  • Stress-induced ncRNAs contribute to epigenetic changes, elevated mutation rates, and adaptive traits in cancer.
  • ncRNAs are transferable from somatic to germline cells, enabling cross-generational inheritance of acquired traits.
  • ncRNAs play a role in transient adaptive responses to environmental stress in diverse organisms.

Conclusions:

  • Transient ncRNA-mediated adaptive responses may bridge the gap to long-term biological adaptation.
  • A unified model is proposed for ncRNA's role in both evolutionary adaptation and cancer progression.
  • Further research is needed to test specific hypotheses regarding ncRNA-mediated adaptation.