Abstract
It is becoming increasingly evident that the non-coding genome and transcriptome exert great influence over their coding counterparts through complex molecular interactions. Among non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in particular present increased potential to participate in dysregulation of post-transcriptional processes through both RNA and protein interactions. Since such processes can play key roles in contributing to cancer progression, it is desirable to continue expanding the search for lncRNAs impacting cancer through post-transcriptional mechanisms. The sheer diversity of mechanisms requires diverse resources and methods that have been developed and refined over the past decade. We provide an overview of computational resources as well as proven low-to-high throughput techniques to enable identification and characterisation of lncRNAs in their complex interactive contexts. As more cancer research strategies evolve to explore the non-coding genome and transcriptome, we anticipate this will provide a valuable primer and perspective of how these technologies have matured and will continue to evolve to assist researchers in elucidating post-transcriptional roles of lncRNAs in cancer.
Highlights
Transcription is at the forefront of the conversion of stable genomic information into reactive biochemical agents that form and modulate dynamic biological systems
This fundamental process relentlessly transcribes at least 62% of the human genome, resulting in a variety of non-coding RNA species that outnumbers the selection of more stable RNAs concerned with translation that accumulate in the cell such as ribosomal RNA
Aberrant long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may exert substantial influence over post-transcriptional dysregulation in cancer through RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) dependent and independent mechanisms mediated via their interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) or RNAs [44]
Summary
Transcription is at the forefront of the conversion of stable genomic information into reactive biochemical agents that form and modulate dynamic biological systems. Long non-coding RNAs (≥200 bp; lncRNAs) encompass the largest and perhaps most intriguing category of ncRNAs in cancer currently known, as they exhibit highly dynamic and tissue specific expression patterns [16], a trait shared with most oncogenes/tumour suppressors [17] The majority of these transcripts are localised in the nucleus and transcribed by RNA Polymerase II (RNA Pol II). Aberrant lncRNAs may exert substantial influence over post-transcriptional dysregulation in cancer through RISC dependent and independent mechanisms mediated via their interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) or RNAs [44] Identifying and characterising these interactive mechanisms utilising appropriate approaches is critical to overcoming the aforementioned challenge in elucidating their roles in major regulatory processes such as post-transcription.
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