The Ambivalent Role of lncRNA Xist in Carcinogenesis

Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2019 Apr;15(2):314-323. doi: 10.1007/s12015-019-9871-z.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Xist has emerged as a key modulator in dosage compensation by randomly inactivating one of the X chromosomes in mammals during embryonic development. Dysregulation of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) due to deletion of Xist has been proven to induce hematologic cancer in mice. However, this phenomenon is not consistent in humans as growing evidence suggests Xist can suppress or promote cancer growth in different organs of the human body. In this review, we discuss recent advances of XCI in human embryonic stem cells and provide an explanation for the seemingly contradictory roles of Xist in development of human cancer.

Keywords: Cancer stem cell; Competing endogenous RNA; Exosomes; Long non-coding RNA; MicroRNAs; X Chromosome inactivation; XACT non-coding RNA; XIST non-coding RNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics*
  • Dosage Compensation, Genetic*
  • Hematologic Diseases / genetics*
  • Hematologic Diseases / pathology*
  • Human Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Human Embryonic Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • X Chromosome Inactivation*

Substances

  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • XIST non-coding RNA