Regulation of Tumor Metabolome by Long Non-Coding RNAs

Abstract

Tumorigenesis necessitates enhanced ability for macromolecular biosynthesis, higher energy/ATP levels and co-ordinated redox balance systems within the cancer cells as well as the cellular components of the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cells have adapted several mechanisms to accommodate their growing need for energy and macromolecular building blocks. A critical mechanism that sustains cancer growth and progression is metabolic reprogramming. Metabolic reprogramming refers to the process that changes the pattern of metabolism in these cells that regulates cancer energetics and metabolic biosynthesis. Recent studies have shown a role for long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the metabolic reprogramming of multiple cell types in cancer tissue. LncRNAs play a decisive role in the reprogramming of glucose, lipid, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolisms to promote tumor growth. Emerging tumorigenic role of lncRNAs and the diverse mechanisms through which they reprogram tumor metabolome is comprehensively discussed here.