RNA Editing and Drug Discovery for Cancer Therapy

Wei-Hsuan Huang,Shih-Shin Liang,Hsueh-Wei Chang,Cheng-Hong Yang,Chao-Neng Tseng,Jen-Yang Tang

doi:10.1155/2013/804505

Abstract

RNA editing is vital to provide the RNA and protein complexity to regulate the gene expression. Correct RNA editing maintains the cell function and organism development. Imbalance of the RNA editing machinery may lead to diseases and cancers. Recently, RNA editing has been recognized as a target for drug discovery although few studies targeting RNA editing for disease and cancer therapy were reported in the field of natural products. Therefore, RNA editing may be a potential target for therapeutic natural products. In this review, we provide a literature overview of the biological functions of RNA editing on gene expression, diseases, cancers, and drugs. The bioinformatics resources of RNA editing were also summarized.

Highlights

RNA editing is the change of nucleotide sequence of RNA transcripts relative to that of the encoding DNA [1]
The A-to-I editing is an enzymatic process mediated by proteins of the family of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR)
Since the RNA editing is essential in regulating gene expression of organisms, imbalance of RNA editing may lead to dysfunction of some proteins involved in normal physiology such as neural and immune functions

Summary

Introduction

RNA editing is the change of nucleotide sequence of RNA transcripts relative to that of the encoding DNA [1]. RNA editing can enhance the RNA and protein diversity [2]. Five types of RNA editing have been discovered [3], the adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is the most common type in higher eukaryotes [4,5,6]. The A-to-I editing may lead to changes in amino acid type and alternative splicing [7], thereby increasing the complexity of gene expression [8]

RNA Editing and Gene Expression

RNA Editing and Diseases

RNA Editing and Cancers

RNA Editing and Bioinformatics Resources

Conclusion