The Roles of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors and Non-Coding RNAs in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Genes (Basel). 2019 Dec 4;10(12):1008. doi: 10.3390/genes10121008.

Abstract

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcription factors that play central roles in cellular responses against hypoxia. In most cancers, HIFs are closely associated with tumorigenesis by regulating cell survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, and adaptation to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Recently, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been reported to play critical roles in the hypoxic response in various cancers. Here, we review the roles of hypoxia-response ncRNAs in gastrointestinal cancer, with a particular focus on microRNAs and long ncRNAs, and discuss the functional relationships and regulatory mechanisms between HIFs and ncRNAs.

Keywords: gastrointestinal cancer; hypoxia; hypoxia-inducible factor; microRNA; non-coding RNA.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors* / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors* / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Proteins* / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins* / metabolism
  • RNA, Neoplasm* / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Neoplasm* / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated* / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Untranslated* / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • RNA, Untranslated