Exploring the Link Between Noncoding RNAs and Glycolysis in Colorectal Cancer.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Glycolysis is a key metabolic pathway involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression.
• Abnormal expression of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), is frequently observed in CRC.
• ncRNAs are increasingly recognized for their roles in regulating cellular processes critical to cancer, such as proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize current research on the roles of ncRNAs in modulating glycolysis within the context of CRC.
• To elucidate the distinct pathways through which various types of ncRNAs influence the glycolytic process in CRC cells.
• To highlight the potential of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers for CRC.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of recent scientific publications.
• Analysis of studies investigating the interplay between ncRNAs and glycolytic enzymes or regulators in CRC.
• Examination of molecular mechanisms underlying ncRNA-mediated glycolysis regulation in colorectal neoplasm cells.

Main Results:

• ncRNAs play a significant role in controlling CRC cell proliferation, invasiveness, chemoresistance, and immune evasion by modulating glycolysis.
• Specific miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs have been identified that either promote or suppress glycolysis in CRC.
• These ncRNAs exert their effects through diverse pathways, impacting key glycolytic enzymes and cellular metabolism.

Conclusions:

• ncRNAs are critical regulators of glycolysis in colorectal cancer, influencing multiple hallmarks of the disease.
• Targeting ncRNAs involved in CRC glycolysis presents a promising strategy for developing novel therapeutic interventions.
• ncRNAs associated with glycolytic alterations hold potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for CRC.