Abstract
Non-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules that are transcribed but not translated into proteins, but they affect various cellular processes. Around 60% of genes in humans do not code proteins but regulate target gene expression. Presently, a lot of research is carried out on ncRNA involvement in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its precursor lesions termed as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). They are broadly classified as small ncRNAs (sncRNA) and long ncRNAs (lncRNA). sncRNAs are extensively studied, whereas the divulgence of lncRNAs in OSCCs needs more revelation, hence reviewed in the present article. LncRNAs have a base pair length of more than 200, can form complex structures and influence the gene expression in a multifaceted pattern that attracts interest.
Highlights
Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a heterogenous malignancy which results in decreased survival rates due to local recurrence and lymph node metastases [1]
LncRNAs scaffolds Platforms on which multiple enzymatic proteins can be transiently assembled in functional units such as ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP), heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoproteins etc
LncRNAs actively compete with specific protein-coding mRNA that interact with intracellular pool of miRNAs acting as sponges or competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) for miRNAs, silence them and reduce the post-transcriptional activity
Summary
Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a heterogenous malignancy which results in decreased survival rates due to local recurrence and lymph node metastases [1]. Various other cancers like lymphomas and certain sarcomas possess relatable gene alterations for which effective target drug therapies are developed, but due to complex genomic and epigenomic changes and interactions in OSCC, use of an effective chemotherapeutic agent is still a challenge. Non-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs, previously considered as "junk or transcriptional noises") that are transcripts not translated to proteins but are potential effectors of target gene expression have gained additional interest [5,6]. Figure 1e: Intornic lncRNA synthesized from intronic region of coding gene either same or opposite side. They are involved in pre- mRNA splicing [Table 1] [1,4, 6, 9, 7, 10, 11,12, 13]
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