Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) as a biomarker and therapeutic agent for cancer

Abstract

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) are transcripts of >200 nucleotides that do not translate into proteins. Once considered as a part of transcriptional noise, now with advanced genome-wide mutation studies it has been shown that lncRNA are involved in various
functional and structural aspects of cells. LncRNA plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression by regulating chromatin structure and mediates posttranscriptional regulation. LncRNA is involved in the regulation of protein activity and maintains nuclear
architecture. Cancer occurs due to the functional disintegration of the intrinsic networking of cells and the formation of a microenvironment for tumour cells. Functional mutation in the noncoding genome with a major effect on lncRNA expression gives rise to most of the cancer. LncRNA are specifically involved in providing cancer phenotypes such as sustained proliferation, enhanced mobility and viability impaired cytostatics etc. LncRNA shows tissue-specific expression and is found circulating in body fluids, are stable there for a long time hence these properties make them suitable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of different cancers. Therapeutic targeting of lncRNA can provide a cure for certain types of cancer. Multiple targeting approaches like knockdown of pathogenic lncRNA by post-transcriptional degradation, modulation of lncRNA gene or inhibiting lncRNA interaction with protein can be used to treat cancer. This review explains how lncRNA regulates genes, how lncRNA acts as a driver of cancer phenotype, how LncRNA can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for cancer and finally therapeutic targeting as a cure for cancer in future.