Advances in esophageal cancer: A new perspective on pathogenesis associated with long non-coding RNAs. (28th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Xiaomei; Zhou, Xi; Hu, Qing; Sun, Binyu; Deng, Mingming; Qi, Xiaolong; Lü, Muhan
• Is Part Of: Cancer letters. Volume 413(2018)
• Page Start: 94
• Page End: 101
• Publication Date: 2018-01-28
• Subjects: Long non-coding RNA -- Esophageal cancer -- Epigenetics -- Mechanism; Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.10.046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3835

Abstract

Abstract: Esophageal cancer is a malignant digestive tract cancer with high mortality. Although studies have found that esophageal cancer is involved in a complex and important gene regulation network, the pathogenesis remains unclear. The recently described long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are one effective part of the gene regulation network. However, in past decades, lncRNAs were thought to be "transcript noise" or "pseudogenes" and were thus ignored. Early studies indicated that lncRNAs play pivotal roles during evolution. However, in recent years, increasing research has revealed that many lncRNAs are associated with tumorigenesis. In particular, lncRNAs may act as important elements for epigenetic regulation, transcription, post-transcriptional regulation and post-translational modification of proteins. Additionally, they may be novel biomarkers for tumors and therapeutic targets in cancer. Here, we summarize the functions of lncRNAs in esophageal cancer, with an emphasis on lncRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms that affect the biological characteristics of esophageal cancer. Highlights: Long non-coding RNAs are abundant and are closely related to disease, especially cancer. Epigenetic regulation, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional regulation and SNP contribute to esophageal cancer. The molecular mechanisms are complex and overlap with each other.