Cancer cell survival is highly dependent on its metabolic reprogramming, which supports not only cell growth but also confers to the tumor cells characteristics to initiate migration and colonization. Among the different mechanisms that are involved, translational control plays a significant role in oncogenesis; however, its impact on cancer progression still remains poorly understood. A study by Navickas and colleagues revealed that the RNA-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (HNRNPC) functions as a translational regulator, and its downregulation in highly metastatic cells leads to the lengthening of 3' untranslated regions in HNRNPC-bound mRNAs, resulting in translational repression mediated by the AGO-miRNA RNA-induced silencing complex.
©2023 American Association for Cancer Research.