Small Non-coding RNAs in Human Cancer: Function, Clinical Utility, and Characterization

Overview

Journal Oncogene

Specialties Molecular Biology
Oncology

Date 2021 Jan 16

PMID 33452456

Citations 35

Authors

Zhao Zhang

Jian Zhang

Lixia Diao

Leng Han

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) play critical roles in multiple regulatory processes, including transcription, post-transcription, and translation. Emerging evidence reveals the critical roles of sncRNAs in cancer development and their potential role as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. In this paper, we review recent research on four sncRNA species with functional significance in cancer: small nucleolar RNAs, transfer RNA, small nuclear RNAs, and piwi-interacting RNAs. We introduce their functional roles in tumorigenesis and discuss the potential utility of sncRNAs as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We further summarize approaches to characterize sncRNAs in a high-throughput manner, including the specific library construction and computational framework. Our review provides a perspective of the functions, clinical utility, and characterization of sncRNAs in cancer.

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