Molecular Mechanism of Long Intergenic Noncoding RNAs in Gastric Cancer

Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) are autonomously transcribed noncoding RNAs that, in humans, constitute more than half of all lncRNA transcripts. LincRNAs are distinguished from other lncRNAs by their lack of sequence overlap with coding loci. In addition to originating from evolutionarily conserved enhancer regions, these elements are often located at the boundaries of topologically associated domains. Predominantly localized within the nucleus, lincRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. They can also be present in the cytoplasm, where they function as molecular sponges for specific microRNAs. Their regulatory functions are mediated through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and epigenetic mechanisms. Increasing evidence indicates that lincRNAs contribute to various aspects of Gastric Cancer (GC) pathogenesis, including disease initiation, metastasis, and recurrence. Consequently, they may serve as innovative biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targeting. This article presents the first comprehensive study focusing on specific examples of GC-related lincRNAs. It reviews studies describing altered lincRNAs and examines the resulting disruptions in cellular pathways and dysregulated proteins with significant biological functions. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the abnormal expression of lincRNAs and their downstream effects in tumors is essential for advancing our knowledge of these molecules. Such insights could facilitate the identification of novel tumor markers that improve clinical diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of cancer.