scholarly journals Non-coding RNAs: long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs in endocrine-related cancers

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. R259-R282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn M Klinge

The human genome is ‘pervasively transcribed’ leading to a complex array of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that far outnumber coding mRNAs. ncRNAs have regulatory roles in transcription and post-transcriptional processes as well numerous cellular functions that remain to be fully described. Best characterized of the ‘expanding universe’ of ncRNAs are the ~22 nucleotide microRNAs (miRNAs) that base-pair to target mRNA’s 3′ untranslated region within the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and block translation and may stimulate mRNA transcript degradation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are classified as >200 nucleotides in length, but range up to several kb and are heterogeneous in genomic origin and function. lncRNAs fold into structures that interact with DNA, RNA and proteins to regulate chromatin dynamics, protein complex assembly, transcription, telomere biology and splicing. Some lncRNAs act as sponges for miRNAs and decoys for proteins. Nuclear-encoded lncRNAs can be taken up by mitochondria and lncRNAs are transcribed from mtDNA. Both miRNAs and lncRNAs are dysregulated in endocrine cancers. This review provides an overview on the current understanding of the regulation and function of selected lncRNAs and miRNAs, and their interaction, in endocrine-related cancers: breast, prostate, endometrial and thyroid.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 880-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik Täuber ◽  
Stefan Hüttelmaier ◽  
Marcel Köhn

Abstract A large variety of eukaryotic small structured POLIII-derived non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been described in the past. However, for only few, e.g. 7SL and H1/MRP families, cellular functions are well understood. For the vast majority of these transcripts, cellular functions remain unknown. Recent findings on the role of Y RNAs and other POLIII-derived ncRNAs suggest an evolutionarily conserved function of these ncRNAs in the assembly and function of ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). These RNPs provide cellular `machineries’, which are essential for guiding the fate and function of a variety of RNAs. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the role of POLIII-derived ncRNAs in the assembly and function of RNPs. We propose that these ncRNAs serve as scaffolding factors that `chaperone’ RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to form functional RNPs. In addition or associated with this role, some small ncRNAs act as molecular decoys impairing the RBP-guided control of RNA fate by competing with other RNA substrates. This suggests that POLIII-derived ncRNAs serve essential and conserved roles in the assembly of larger RNPs and thus the control of gene expression by indirectly guiding the fate of mRNAs and lncRNAs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 107 (04) ◽  
pp. 605-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Treiber ◽  
Nora Treiber ◽  
Gunter Meister

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered as key regulators of literally all cellular pathways. Therefore, miRNA biosynthesis and their individual cellular functions must be tightly regulated as well. MiRNAs are transcribed as primary transcripts, which are processed to mature miRNAs in two consecutive maturation steps. Finally, the mature miRNA is incorporated into a miRNA-protein complex, where it directly interacts with a member of the Argonaute (Ago) protein family. The miRNA guides such protein complexes to partial complementary target sites, which are typically located in the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs leading to inhibition of gene expression. MiRNA activity and abundance is regulated on various levels ranging from transcription and processing to target site binding and miRNA stability. Recent advances in our understanding of how miRNA activity is regulated in mammalian cells are summarised and discussed in this review article.


2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (13) ◽  
pp. 9363-9372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamadher A. Alghamdi ◽  
Cheuk Y. Ho ◽  
Amra Mrakovic ◽  
Danielle Taylor ◽  
Daniel Mao ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (1) ◽  
pp. C67-C80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bong Sook Jhun ◽  
Jyotsna Mishra ◽  
Sarah Monaco ◽  
Deming Fu ◽  
Wenmin Jiang ◽  
...  

Mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis, the Ca2+ influx-efflux balance, is responsible for the control of numerous cellular functions, including energy metabolism, generation of reactive oxygen species, spatiotemporal dynamics of Ca2+ signaling, and cell growth and death. Recent discovery of the molecular identity of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) provides new possibilities for application of genetic approaches to study the mitochondrial Ca2+ influx mechanism in various cell types and tissues. In addition, the subsequent discovery of various auxiliary subunits associated with MCU suggests that mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake is not solely regulated by a single protein (MCU), but likely by a macromolecular protein complex, referred to as the MCU-protein complex (mtCUC). Moreover, recent reports have shown the potential role of MCU posttranslational modifications in the regulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake through mtCUC. These observations indicate that mtCUCs form a local signaling complex at the inner mitochondrial membrane that could significantly regulate mitochondrial Ca2+ handling, as well as numerous mitochondrial and cellular functions. In this review we discuss the current literature on mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake mechanisms, with a particular focus on the structure and function of mtCUC, as well as its regulation by signal transduction pathways, highlighting current controversies and discrepancies.


F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Fesler ◽  
Ning Zhang ◽  
Jingfang Ju

Tumor suppresser geneTP53is one of the most frequently deleted or mutated genes in gastrointestinal cancers. As a transcription factor, p53 regulates a number of important protein coding genes to control cell cycle, cell death, DNA damage/repair, stemness, differentiation and other key cellular functions. In addition, p53 is also able to activate the expression of a number of small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) through direct binding to the promoter region of these miRNAs.  Many miRNAs have been identified to be potential tumor suppressors by regulating key effecter target mRNAs. Our understanding of the regulatory network of p53 has recently expanded to include long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Like miRNA, lncRNAs have been found to play important roles in cancer biology.  With our increased understanding of the important functions of these non-coding RNAs and their relationship with p53, we are gaining exciting new insights into the biology and function of cells in response to various growth environment changes. In this review we summarize the current understanding of the ever expanding involvement of non-coding RNAs in the p53 regulatory network and its implications for our understanding of gastrointestinal cancer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (39) ◽  
pp. 4659-4667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Fani ◽  
Milad Zandi ◽  
Majid Rezayi ◽  
Nastaran Khodadad ◽  
Hadis Langari ◽  
...  

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with 19 to 24 nucleotides which are evolutionally conserved. MicroRNAs play a regulatory role in many cellular functions such as immune mechanisms, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. The main function of miRNAs is the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression via mRNA degradation or inhibition of translation. In fact, many of them act as an oncogene or tumor suppressor. These molecular structures participate in many physiological and pathological processes of the cell. The virus can also produce them for developing its pathogenic processes. It was initially thought that viruses without nuclear replication cycle such as Poxviridae and RNA viruses can not code miRNA, but recently, it has been proven that RNA viruses can also produce miRNA. The aim of this articles is to describe viral miRNAs biogenesis and their effects on cellular and viral genes.


Impact ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-91
Author(s):  
Shin-ichi Tate

The field of molecular biology has provided great insights into the structure and function of key molecules. Thanks to this area of research, we can now grasp the biological details of DNA and have characterised an enormous number of molecules in massive data bases. These 'biological periodic tables' have allowed scientists to connect molecules to particular cellular events, furthering scientific understanding of biological processes. However, molecular biology has yet to answer questions regarding 'higher-order' molecular architecture, such as that of chromatin. Chromatin is the molecular material that serves as the building block for chromosomes, the structures that carry an organism's genetic information inside of the cell's nucleus. Understanding the physical properties of chromatin is crucial in developing a more thorough picture of how chromatin's structure relate to its key cellular functions. Moreover, by establishing a physical model of chromatin, scientists will be able to open the doors into the true inner workings of the cell nucleus. Professor Shin-ichi Tate and his team of researchers at Hiroshima University's Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics (RcMcD), are attempting to do just that. Through a five-year grant funded by the Platform for Dynamic Approaches to Living Systems from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tate is aiming to gain a clearer understanding of the structure and dynamics of chromatin.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1960
Author(s):  
K. Tanuj Sapra ◽  
Ohad Medalia

The cytoskeleton of the eukaryotic cell provides a structural and functional scaffold enabling biochemical and cellular functions. While actin and microtubules form the main framework of the cell, intermediate filament networks provide unique mechanical properties that increase the resilience of both the cytoplasm and the nucleus, thereby maintaining cellular function while under mechanical pressure. Intermediate filaments (IFs) are imperative to a plethora of regulatory and signaling functions in mechanotransduction. Mutations in all types of IF proteins are known to affect the architectural integrity and function of cellular processes, leading to debilitating diseases. The basic building block of all IFs are elongated α-helical coiled-coils that assemble hierarchically into complex meshworks. A remarkable mechanical feature of IFs is the capability of coiled-coils to metamorphize into β-sheets under stress, making them one of the strongest and most resilient mechanical entities in nature. Here, we discuss structural and mechanical aspects of IFs with a focus on nuclear lamins and vimentin.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Roberta Melchionna ◽  
Paola Trono ◽  
Annalisa Tocci ◽  
Paola Nisticò

Human tissues, to maintain their architecture and function, respond to injuries by activating intricate biochemical and physical mechanisms that regulates intercellular communication crucial in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Coordination of the communication occurs through the activity of different actin cytoskeletal regulators, physically connected to extracellular matrix through integrins, generating a platform of biochemical and biomechanical signaling that is deregulated in cancer. Among the major pathways, a controller of cellular functions is the cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), which remains a complex and central signaling network still to be interpreted and explained in cancer progression. Here, we discuss the link between actin dynamics and TGFβ signaling with the aim of exploring their aberrant interaction in cancer.


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