scholarly journals Non-Coding RNAs: The “Dark Side Matter” of the CLL Universe

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Marcello Francesco Lingua ◽  
Giovanna Carrà ◽  
Beatrice Maffeo ◽  
Alessandro Morotti
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Support Resistance ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
New Biomarkers ◽  
Selection Of

For many years in the field of onco-hematology much attention has been given to mutations in protein-coding genes or to genetic alterations, including large chromosomal losses or rearrangements. Despite this, biological and clinical needs in this sector remain unmet. Therefore, it is not surprising that recent studies have shifted from coded to non-coded matter. The discovery of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has influenced several aspects related to the treatment of cancer. In particular, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) the knowledge of ncRNAs and their contextualization have led to the identification of new biomarkers used to follow the course of the disease, to the anticipation of mechanisms that support resistance and relapse, and to the selection of novel targeted treatment regimens. In this review, we will summarize the main ncRNAs discovered in CLL and the molecular mechanisms by which they are affected and how they influence the development and the progression of the disease.

scholarly journals Long non-coding RNAs in plants: emerging modulators of gene activity in development and stress responses

Planta ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 252 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Chen ◽  
Qian-Hao Zhu ◽  
Kerstin Kaufmann
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Translational Regulation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Gene Activity ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Coding Potential

Abstract Main conclusion Long non-coding RNAs modulate gene activity in plant development and stress responses by various molecular mechanisms. Abstract Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts larger than 200 nucleotides without protein coding potential. Computational approaches have identified numerous lncRNAs in different plant species. Research in the past decade has unveiled that plant lncRNAs participate in a wide range of biological processes, including regulation of flowering time and morphogenesis of reproductive organs, as well as abiotic and biotic stress responses. LncRNAs execute their functions by interacting with DNA, RNA and protein molecules, and by modulating the expression level of their targets through epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional or translational regulation. In this review, we summarize characteristics of plant lncRNAs, discuss recent progress on understanding of lncRNA functions, and propose an experimental framework for functional characterization.

scholarly journals Emerging Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Diabetic Vascular Complications

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinay Singh Tanwar ◽  
Marpadga A. Reddy ◽  
Rama Natarajan
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Microvascular Complications ◽  
Vascular Complications ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Diabetic Vascular Complications ◽  
Obesity And Diabetes ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Species Specific

Chronic metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes are associated with accelerated rates of macrovascular and microvascular complications, which are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Further understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms can aid in the development of novel drug targets and therapies to manage these disorders more effectively. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that do not have protein-coding potential are expressed in a tissue- and species-specific manner and regulate diverse biological processes. LncRNAs regulate gene expression in cis or in trans through various mechanisms, including interaction with chromatin-modifying proteins and other regulatory proteins and via posttranscriptional mechanisms, including acting as microRNA sponges or as host genes of microRNAs. Emerging evidence suggests that major pathological factors associated with diabetes such as high glucose, free fatty acids, proinflammatory cytokines, and growth factors can dysregulate lncRNAs in inflammatory, cardiac, vascular, and renal cells leading to altered expression of key inflammatory genes and fibrotic genes associated with diabetic vascular complications. Here we review recent reports on lncRNA characterization, functions, and mechanisms of action in diabetic vascular complications and translational approaches to target them. These advances can provide new insights into the lncRNA-dependent actions and mechanisms underlying diabetic vascular complications and uncover novel lncRNA-based biomarkers and therapies to reduce disease burden and mortality.

scholarly journals Differential Effects of Cancer-Associated Mutations Enriched in Helix H3 of PPARγ

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3580
Author(s):  
Dong Man Jang ◽  
Jun Young Jang ◽  
Hyun-Jung Kim ◽  
Byung Woo Han
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Tumor Microenvironments ◽  
New Biomarkers

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) has recently been revealed to regulate tumor microenvironments. In particular, genetic alterations of PPARγ found in various cancers have been reported to play important roles in tumorigenesis by affecting PPARγ transactivation. In this study, we found that helix H3 of the PPARγ ligand-binding domain (LBD) has a number of sites that are mutated in cancers. To uncover underlying molecular mechanisms between helix H3 mutations and tumorigenesis, we performed structure‒function studies on the PPARγ LBDs containing helix H3 mutations found in cancers. Interestingly, PPARγ Q286E found in bladder cancer induces a constitutively active conformation of PPARγ LBD and thus abnormal activation of PPARγ/RXRα pathway, which suggests tumorigenic roles of PPARγ in bladder cancer. In contrast, other helix H3 mutations found in various cancers impair ligand binding essential for transcriptional activity of PPARγ. These data indicate that cancer-associated mutations clustered in helix H3 of PPARγ LBD exhibit differential effects in PPARγ-mediated tumorigenesis and provide a basis for the development of new biomarkers targeting tumor microenvironments.

scholarly journals Non-coding RNAs: emerging players in cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naisam Abbas ◽  
Filippo Perbellini ◽  
Thomas Thum
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Contractile Function ◽  
Cardiac Regeneration ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Proliferation ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

Abstract Soon after birth, the regenerative capacity of the mammalian heart is lost, cardiomyocytes withdraw from the cell cycle and demonstrate a minimal proliferation rate. Despite improved treatment and reperfusion strategies, the uncompensated cardiomyocyte loss during injury and disease results in cardiac remodeling and subsequent heart failure. The promising field of regenerative medicine aims to restore both the structure and function of damaged tissue through modulation of cellular processes and regulatory mechanisms involved in cardiac cell cycle arrest to boost cardiomyocyte proliferation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are functional RNA molecules with no protein-coding function that have been reported to engage in cardiac regeneration and repair. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of both the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of ncRNAs involved in cardiomyocyte proliferation. Furthermore, we discuss their impact on the structure and contractile function of the heart in health and disease and their application for therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals Regulation of expression of human RNA polymerase II-transcribed snRNA genes

Open Biology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 170073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Guiro ◽  
Shona Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mrna Splicing ◽  
Regulation Of Expression ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Protein Coding Genes ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Rna Genes

In addition to protein-coding genes, RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcribes numerous genes for non-coding RNAs, including the small-nuclear (sn)RNA genes. snRNAs are an important class of non-coding RNAs, several of which are involved in pre-mRNA splicing. The molecular mechanisms underlying expression of human pol II-transcribed snRNA genes are less well characterized than for protein-coding genes and there are important differences in expression of these two gene types. Here, we review the DNA features and proteins required for efficient transcription of snRNA genes and co-transcriptional 3′ end formation of the transcripts.

Non-coding RNAs and exercise: pathophysiological role and clinical application in the cardiovascular system

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (9) ◽  
pp. 925-942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa P.C. Gomes ◽  
David de Gonzalo-Calvo ◽  
Rocio Toro ◽  
Tiago Fernandes ◽  
Daniel Theisen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Overwhelming Evidence ◽  
Pathophysiological Role ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
New Biomarkers ◽  
Molecular Components ◽  
Response To Exercise

There is overwhelming evidence that regular exercise training is protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD), the main cause of death worldwide. Despite the benefits of exercise, the intricacies of their underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been recognized as a major regulatory network governing gene expression in several physiological processes and appeared as pivotal modulators in a myriad of cardiovascular processes under physiological and pathological conditions. However, little is known about ncRNA expression and role in response to exercise. Revealing the molecular components and mechanisms of the link between exercise and health outcomes will catalyse discoveries of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Here we review the current understanding of the ncRNA role in exercise-induced adaptations focused on the cardiovascular system and address their potential role in clinical applications for CVD. Finally, considerations and perspectives for future studies will be proposed.

scholarly journals Androgen-Driven Fusion Genes and Chimeric Transcripts in Prostate Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Scaravilli ◽  
Sonja Koivukoski ◽  
Leena Latonen
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Fusion Genes ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Androgen Regulation ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

Androgens are steroid hormones governing the male reproductive development and function. As such, androgens and the key mediator of their effects, androgen receptor (AR), have a leading role in many diseases. Prostate cancer is a major disease where AR and its transcription factor function affect a significant number of patients worldwide. While disease-related AR-driven transcriptional programs are connected to the presence and activity of the receptor itself, also novel modes of transcriptional regulation by androgens are exploited by cancer cells. One of the most intriguing and ingenious mechanisms is to bring previously unconnected genes under the control of AR. Most often this occurs through genetic rearrangements resulting in fusion genes where an androgen-regulated promoter area is combined to a protein-coding area of a previously androgen-unaffected gene. These gene fusions are distinctly frequent in prostate cancer compared to other common solid tumors, a phenomenon still requiring an explanation. Interestingly, also another mode of connecting androgen regulation to a previously unaffected gene product exists via transcriptional read-through mechanisms. Furthermore, androgen regulation of fusion genes and transcripts is not linked to only protein-coding genes. Pseudogenes and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can also be affected by androgens and de novo functions produced. In this review, we discuss the prevalence, molecular mechanisms, and functional evidence for androgen-regulated prostate cancer fusion genes and transcripts. We also discuss the clinical relevance of especially the most common prostate cancer fusion gene TMPRSS2-ERG, as well as present open questions of prostate cancer fusions requiring further investigation.

scholarly journals PVT1: A Rising Star among Oncogenic Long Noncoding RNAs

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Colombo ◽  
Lorenzo Farina ◽  
Giuseppe Macino ◽  
Paola Paci
Keyword(s):  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Long Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Competing Endogenous Rna ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Myc Oncogene ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

It is becoming increasingly clear that short and long noncoding RNAs critically participate in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and (mis)function. However, while the functional characterization of short non-coding RNAs has been reaching maturity, there is still a paucity of well characterized long noncoding RNAs, even though large studies in recent years are rapidly increasing the number of annotated ones. The long noncoding RNA PVT1 is encoded by a gene that has been long known since it resides in the well-known cancer risk region 8q24. However, a couple of accidental concurrent conditions have slowed down the study of this gene, that is, a preconception on the primacy of the protein-coding over noncoding RNAs and the prevalent interest in its neighbor MYC oncogene. Recent studies have brought PVT1 under the spotlight suggesting interesting models of functioning, such as competing endogenous RNA activity and regulation of protein stability of important oncogenes, primarily of the MYC oncogene. Despite some advancements in modelling the PVT1 role in cancer, there are many questions that remain unanswered concerning the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its functioning.

scholarly journals Long Non-Coding RNAs: The Regulatory Mechanisms, Research Strategies, and Future Directions in Cancers

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Gao ◽  
Yueheng Li ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Zhengfan Gao ◽  
Zhenzhen Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Clinical Implementation ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

The development and application of whole genome sequencing technology has greatly broadened our horizons on the capabilities of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). LncRNAs are more than 200 nucleotides in length and lack protein-coding potential. Increasing evidence indicates that lncRNAs exert an irreplaceable role in tumor initiation, progression, as well as metastasis, and are novel molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer patients. Furthermore, lncRNAs and the pathways they influence might represent promising therapeutic targets for a number of tumors. Here, we discuss the recent advances in understanding of the specific regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs. We focused on the signal, decoy, guide, and scaffold functions of lncRNAs at the epigenetic, transcription, and post-transcription levels in cancer cells. Additionally, we summarize the research strategies used to investigate the roles of lncRNAs in tumors, including lncRNAs screening, lncRNAs characteristic analyses, functional studies, and molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs. This review will provide a short but comprehensive description of the lncRNA functions in tumor development and progression, thus accelerating the clinical implementation of lncRNAs as tumor biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals Non-Coding RNAs and Splicing Activity in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 736
Author(s):  
Marco Barchi ◽  
Pamela Bielli ◽  
Susanna Dolci ◽  
Pellegrino Rossi ◽  
Paola Grimaldi
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
Testicular Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
Testicular Germ Cell ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Response ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common tumors in adolescent and young men. Recently, genome-wide studies have made it possible to progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of tumors. It is becoming increasingly clear that aberrant regulation of RNA metabolism can drive tumorigenesis and influence chemotherapeutic response. Notably, the expression of non-coding RNAs as well as specific splice variants is deeply deregulated in human cancers. Since these cancer-related RNA species are considered promising diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets, understanding their function in cancer development is becoming a major challenge. Here, we summarize how the different expression of RNA species repertoire, including non-coding RNAs and protein-coding splicing variants, impacts on TGCTs’ onset and progression and sustains therapeutic resistance. Finally, the role of transcription-associated R-loop misregulation in the maintenance of genomic stability in TGCTs is also discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document