MicroRNAs, Long Noncoding RNAs, and Their Functions in Human Disease

Abstract

Majority of the human genome is transcribed into RNAs with absent or limited protein-coding potential. microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are two major families of the non-protein-coding transcripts. miRNAs and lncRNAs can regulate fundamental cellular processes via diverse mechanisms. The expression and function of miRNAs and lncRNAs are tightly regulated in development and physiological homeostasis. Dysregulation of miRNAs and lncRNAs is critical to pathogenesis of human disease. Moreover, recent evidence indicates a cross talk between miRNAs and lncRNAs. Herein we review recent advances in the biology of miRNAs and lncRNAs with respect to the above aspects. We focus on their roles in cancer, respiratory disease, and neurodegenerative disease. The complexity, flexibility, and versatility of the structures and functions of miRNAs and lncRNAs demand integration of experimental and bioinformatics tools to acquire sufficient knowledge for applications of these noncoding RNAs in clinical care.

MiR-324-5p reduces viability and induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells through modulating TSPAN8

“…There were no obvious symptoms in the early stage of gastric cancer, so most of the patients were diagnosed at the middle and late stage, usually with poor outcomes and prognosis. MiRNAs, widely expressed in eukaryotic organisms, were implicated in the development of tissues and organs, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, hormone secretion and so on, and have been confirmed to involve in the pathogenesis of human cancers . Multiple miRNAs were dysregulated in gastric cancer and played an important role in promoting or inhibiting carcinogenesis and metastasis of gastric cancer, such as miR‐338, miR‐585 and miR‐491‐5p …”

Non-coding RNAs: long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs in endocrine-related cancers

“…HOTAIR is upregulated in endocrine-resistant BCa cells and its overexpression activates ERα transcriptional activity independent of ligand (Xue, et al 2016). ERα interacts directly of HOTAIR in RNA pulldown assays using nuclear extracts from MCF-7 BCa cells (Xue, et al 2017). Overexpression of HOTAIR in MCF-7 cells grown under hormone-free (serum-starved) medium conditions increases the number of DNA sites to which ERα binds in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays (ChIP) and increases mRNA expression of some ERα target genes, e.g., GREB1, TFF1, PGR, and CTSD (Xue et al 2016b).…”

Long noncoding RNAs in autoimmune diseases

“…lncRNAs have specific secondary structures and exhibit high tissue‐ and spatiotemporal‐specific expression. As novel regulators, lncRNAs play important roles in many biological processes via different mechanisms, such as chromatin modification and posttranscriptional regulation . Recent studies have found that lncRNA dysregulation is closely related to a variety of human diseases …”

“…As novel regulators, lncRNAs play important roles in many biological processes via different mechanisms, such as chromatin modification and posttranscriptional regulation. 16,17 Recent studies have found that lncRNA dysregulation is closely related to a variety of human diseases. [16][17][18] Classification of lncRNAs based on genomic location According to their genomic location and background, lncRNA transcripts are divided into five categories ( Fig.…”