Functional significance of long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer

Breast Cancer. 2014 Sep;21(5):515-21. doi: 10.1007/s12282-014-0554-y. Epub 2014 Jul 20.

Abstract

Most of the genome is transcribed to transcripts of no protein-coding potential. However, these transcripts do not represent transcriptional 'noise', rather they play an important role in cellular metabolism and development. Non-coding transcripts of 200 bases to 100 kb length are termed as long non-coding RNAs, majority of which are yet to be characterised thoroughly. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a significant role in cellular process ranging from transcriptional to post-transcriptional regulation. In this review, we highlight the recent efforts to characterise the major functions of lncRNAs in breast cancer. lncRNA expression is altered in several cancer types. Further, the aberrant regulation of lncRNAs promotes tumour development as they are involved in several cancer-associated pathways.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / classification
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Long Noncoding