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Review
. 2021 Mar 27;20(2):94-105.
doi: 10.1093/bfgp/elab003.

The non-coding epitranscriptome in cancer

Valentina Miano, Azzurra Codino, Luca Pandolfini, Isaia Barbieri
Review

The non-coding epitranscriptome in cancer

Valentina Miano et al. Brief Funct Genomics. .

Abstract

Post-synthesis modification of biomolecules is an efficient way of regulating and optimizing their functions. The human epitranscriptome includes a variety of more than 100 modifications known to exist in all RNA subtypes. Modifications of non-coding RNAs are particularly interesting since they can directly affect their structure, stability, interaction and function. Indeed, non-coding RNAs such as tRNA and rRNA are the most modified RNA species in eukaryotic cells. In the last 20 years, new functions of non-coding RNAs have been discovered and their involvement in human disease, including cancer, became clear. In this review, we will present the evidence connecting modifications of different non-coding RNA subtypes and their role in cancer.

Keywords: RNA epigenetics; RNA methylation; RNA modifications; cancer; epitranscriptomics; non-coding RNA.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
rRNA and tRNA modifications involved in cancer. Figure depicts RNA modifications (circles) on ribosomal (rRNA, left panel) and transfer RNA (tRNA, right panel) that have been connected to cancer. The enzymes responsible for their deposition are indicated in the balloons. m1acp3Ψ: 1-methyl-3-a-amino-a-carboxyl-propyl pseudouridine; m6A: 6-methyladenosine; m5C: 5-methylcytosine; O-me: 2’O-methylation; Ψ: pseudouridine; m7G: 7-methylguanosine; cm5U: 5- carboxymethyluridine; mcm5U: 5- methoxycarbonylmethyluridine; mcm5s2U: 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine.
Figure 2
Figure 2
miRNA, lncRNA and circRNA modifications involved in cancer. Figure depicts RNA modifications (circles) on microRNAs (miRNA, left panel), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA, top right panel) and circular RNAs (circRNAs, bottom right panel) that have been linked to cancer. The enzymes responsible for their deposition are indicated in the balloons. m7G: 7-methylguanosine; I: inosine; m6A: 6-methyladenosine; P-me: 5’-methylphosphate; 2’-O-me: 2’ O-methylation; m5C: 5- methylcytosine; Ψ: pseudouridine.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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