Title:Nuclear Long Non-Coding RNAs as Epigenetic Regulators in Cancer
Volume: 28
Issue: 25
Author(s): Hiroaki Tachiwana and Noriko Saitoh*
Affiliation:
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550,Japan
Keywords:
Long non-coding RNA, epigenetics, cancer, histone modification, DNA methylation, ELEANORS,
chromatin.
Abstract:
Background: Transcriptome analyses have revealed the presence of numerous
long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in mammalian cells. Many lncRNAs are expressed in
development-, differentiation-, and disease-specific manners, suggesting their importance
as cell regulators. Some nuclear lncRNAs are bound to specific genomic loci, either near
or distant from their own transcription sites, and regulate gene expression in cis or trans.
These lncRNAs recruit epigenetic factors, including the DNA methyl transferase and histone
modification complex, and mediate both the 3D genome structure and nuclear domains.
LncRNAs are now considered as an emerging member of epigenetic regulators.
LncRNAs are dysregulated in various types of cancer and act as either oncogenic or tumor-
suppressing factors. They are involved in virtually all of the cancer hallmarks and
are potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Objective: In this review, we describe several representative lncRNAs and provide a current
overview of the mechanisms by which lncRNAs participate in epigenetic regulation
and contribute to cancer development.
