(In)Distinctive Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Common and Rare Ovarian Cancers

Abstract

Rare ovarian cancers (ROCs) are OCs with an annual incidence of fewer than 6 cases per 100,000 women. They affect women of all ages, but due to their low incidence and the potential clinical inexperience in management, there can be a delay in diagnosis, leading to a poor prognosis. The underlying causes for these tumors are varied, but generally, the tumors arise due to alterations in gene/protein expression in cellular processes that regulate normal proliferation and its checkpoints. Dysregulation of the cellular processes that lead to cancer includes gene mutations, epimutations, non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulation, posttranscriptional and posttranslational modifications. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) are defined as transcribed RNA molecules, more than 200 nucleotides in length which are not translated into proteins. They regulate gene expression through several mechanisms and therefore add another level of complexity to the regulatory mechanisms affecting tumor development. Since few studies have been performed on ROCs, in this review we summarize the mechanisms of action of lncRNA in OC, with an emphasis on ROCs.

lncRNA DARS-AS1 Modulates TSPAN1-Mediated ITGA2 Hypomethylation by Interaction with miR-194-5p Thus Promoting Ovarian Cancer Progression

“…lncRNAs share microRNA (miRNA) binding sites and modulate the posttranscriptional messenger RNA (mRNA) by depletion of miRNA when the ceRNA network is interpreted [ 18 ]. A surge of attention has been paid to involvement of the lncRNA-based ceRNA network that expedites tumorigenesis of several human cancers including OC [ 19 ]. Although a recently identified ceRNA pathway, lncRNA DARS-AS1 regulation of a gene by miR-194-5p, has been reported in OC progression [ 16 ], our knowledge of the ceRNA phenomenon headed by lncRNA DARS-AS1 in OC is very limited, prompting us to explore it further.…”