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Review
. 2016 Feb;14(1):42-54.
doi: 10.1016/j.gpb.2015.09.006. Epub 2016 Feb 12.

Roles, Functions, and Mechanisms of Long Non-coding RNAs in Cancer

Yiwen Fang  1 , Melissa J Fullwood  2
Affiliations
Review

Roles, Functions, and Mechanisms of Long Non-coding RNAs in Cancer

Yiwen Fang et al. Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics. 2016 Feb.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in cancer. They are involved in chromatin remodeling, as well as transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, through a variety of chromatin-based mechanisms and via cross-talk with other RNA species. lncRNAs can function as decoys, scaffolds, and enhancer RNAs. This review summarizes the characteristics of lncRNAs, including their roles, functions, and working mechanisms, describes methods for identifying and annotating lncRNAs, and discusses future opportunities for lncRNA-based therapies using antisense oligonucleotides.

Keywords: Antisense oligonucleotides; Cancer; Chromatin; Transcription regulation; lncRNAs.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Characteristics of lncRNAs
Figure 2
Figure 2
Acting mechanisms of lncRNAs eRNA, enhancer RNA; ceRNA, competing endogenous RNA; NAT, natural antisense transcript; PRC1, polycomb repressive complex 1.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Hypothesized acting mechanism for eRNAs to initiate chromatin interactions eRNA, enhancer RNA; CTCF, CCCTC-binding factor.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Targeting lncRNAs for therapeutic applications NAT, natural antisense transcript; PRC2, polycomb repressive complex 2; ASO, antisense oligonucleotide; eRNA, enhancer RNA.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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