Role of taurine, its haloamines and its lncRNA TUG1 in both inflammation and cancer progression. On the road to therapeutics? (Review)

Abstract

For one century, taurine is considered as an end product of sulfur metabolism. In this review, we discuss the beneficial effect of taurine, its haloamines and taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA) in both cancer and inflammation. We outline how taurine or its haloamines (N‑Bromotaurine or N‑Chlorotaurine) can induce robust and efficient responses against inflammatory diseases, providing insight into their molecular mechanisms. We also provide information about the use of taurine as a therapeutic approach to cancer. Taurine can be combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs, not only mediating durable responses in various malignancies, but also circumventing the limitations met from chemotherapeutic drugs, thus improving the therapeutic outcome. Interestingly, the lncRNA TUG1 is regarded as a promising therapeutic approach, which can overcome acquired resistance of cancer cells to selected strategies. In this regard, we can translate basic knowledge about taurine and its TUG1 lncRNA into potential therapeutic options directed against specific oncogenic signaling targets, thereby bridging the gap between bench and bedside.

Keywords: taurine; taurine haloamines; taurine upregulated gene 1 ncRNA; inflammation; cancer.

Figure 1

Schematic illustration of possible mechanisms of taurine towards attenuating metastatic procedure of cancer cells. Possible mechanisms include regulation of oxidant/anti-oxidant responses, decreasing the levels of angiogenic markers and causing matrix remodeling.

Figure 2

Schematic illustration of possible mechansims of taurine towards attenuating toxic side-effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Possible mechanisms include regulation of oxidant/anti-oxidant responses, targeting signaling pathways, decreasing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating DNA damage response.

Figure 3

Schematic representation of the human body highlighting how lncNRA TUG1 exerts its sponging action against distinct miRNAs in a cell-type dependent manner.

Figure 4

The lncRNA TUG1 regulate transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes important through its sponging action against miRNAs or through chromatin remodeling in a cancer type dependent manner. The inhibitory action of lncRNA TUG1 against miRNA-mediated mRNA degradation can exert either positive or negative impact on cancer progression. During chromatin remodeling, the lncRNA TUG1 usually recruits polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) to chromatin sites that preclude RNAPII chromatin binding.