Long non-coding RNAs in cancer progression

Abstract

Recent large-scale transcriptome analyses have revealed that transcription is spread throughout the mammalian genomes, yielding large numbers of transcripts, including long non-coding RNAs (IncRNAs) with little or no protein-coding capacity. Dozens of IncRNAs have been identified as biologically significant. In many cases, IncRNAs act as key molecules in the regulation of processes such as chromatin remodeling, transcription, and post-transcriptional processing. Several IncRNAs (e.g., MALAT1, HOTAIR, and ANRIL) are associated with human diseases, including cancer. Those IncRNAs associated with cancer are often aberrantly expressed. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms by which IncRNAs regulate cancer development are unclear, recent studies have revealed that such aberrant expression of IncRNAs affects the progression of cancers. In this review, we highlight recent findings regarding the roles of IncRNAs in cancer biology. © 2012 Tano and Akimitsu.