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Review
. 2015 Feb;35(1):63-74.
doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1397350. Epub 2015 Jan 29.

Noncoding RNA as therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma

Joseph George  1 , Tushar Patel  2
Affiliations
Review

Noncoding RNA as therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma

Joseph George et al. Semin Liver Dis. 2015 Feb.

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These RNA genes may be involved in various pathobiological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Aberrant expression of ncRNA resulting from deregulated epigenetic, transcriptional, or posttranscriptional activity has been described in several studies. ncRNAs are comprised of a highly diverse group of transcripts that include microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as well as several other types of RNA genes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which ncRNA contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis may enable the design of ncRNA-based therapeutics for HCC. In this review, the authors provide a perspective on therapeutic applications based on the emerging evidence of a contributory role of miRNAs and lncRNAs to the pathogenesis and progression of HCC. In addition, ncRNAs that are deregulated in expression in HCC may have utility as potential prognostic or diagnostic markers.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Strategies to manipulate miRNA expression in HCC. (A) Schematic of functional effect of miRNA in suppressing a target mRNA that is involved in maintaining the tumor phenotype. Endogenous miRNA binds to complementary sequences in three prime untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the target gene resulting in translational repression of mRNA. (B) miRNA mimics comprise of the exact oligonucleotide sequence of the endogenous miRNA that binds to the same target gene and degrade the mRNA. (C) An antisense oligonucleotide strongly binds to a specific miRNA, silences its activity and prevents binding to the target mRNA (D) A target block is an oligonucleotide designed to bind to a portion of miRNA target on a specific mRNA without inhibition of translation thereby prevents miRNA-mediated repression. (E) A miRNA sponge consists of an open reading frame (ORF) with a 3′-UTR that contains several binding sites for a particular miRNA and serves as a competitive inhibitor.
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