Noncoding RNAs in cataract formation: Star molecules emerge in an endless stream

Silong Chen; Chengshou Zhang; Lifang Shen; Jianghua Hu; Xiangjun Chen; Yibo Yu

doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106417

Noncoding RNAs in cataract formation: Star molecules emerge in an endless stream

Pharmacol Res. 2022 Oct:184:106417. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106417. Epub 2022 Aug 28.

Authors

Silong Chen¹, Chengshou Zhang¹, Lifang Shen¹, Jianghua Hu², Xiangjun Chen³, Yibo Yu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, China.
² Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Jiande Branch, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
³ Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 268 Kaixuan Road, China. Electronic address: chenxiangjun@zju.edu.cn.
⁴ Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: yuyibo@zju.edu.cn.

PMID: 36038044
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106417

Abstract

For decades, research on the pathological mechanism of cataracts has usually focused on the abnormal protein changes caused by a series of risk factors. However, an entire class of molecules, termed non-coding RNA (ncRNA), was discovered in recent years and proven to be heavily involved in cataract formation. Recent studies have recognized the key regulatory roles of ncRNAs in cataracts by shaping cellular activities such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This review summarizes our current insight into the biogenesis, properties and functions of ncRNAs and then discusses the development of research on ncRNAs in cataracts. Considering the significant role of ncRNA in cataract formation, research on novel associated regulatory mechanisms is urgently needed, and the development of therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of cataracts seems promising.

Keywords: Cataract; Circular RNA; Long noncoding RNA; MicroRNA; Noncoding RNA; Ophthalmology.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Apoptosis
Cataract* / genetics
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Humans
MicroRNAs* / genetics
MicroRNAs* / metabolism
RNA, Untranslated / genetics
RNA, Untranslated / metabolism
Rivers

Substances

MicroRNAs
RNA, Untranslated