title: ceRNA in cancer: possible functions and clinical implications.
abstract: Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) are transcripts that can regulate each other at post-transcription level by competing for shared miRNAs. CeRNA networks link the function of protein-coding mRNAs with that of non-coding RNAs such as microRNA, long non-coding RNA, pseudogenic RNA and circular RNA. Given that any transcripts harbouring miRNA response element can theoretically function as ceRNAs, they may represent a widespread form of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in both physiology and pathology. CeRNA activity is influenced by multiple factors such as the abundance and subcellular localisation of ceRNA components, binding affinity of miRNAs to their sponges, RNA editing, RNA secondary structures and RNA-binding proteins. Aberrations in these factors may deregulate ceRNA networks and thus lead to human diseases including cancer. In this review, we introduce the mechanisms and molecular bases of ceRNA networks, discuss their roles in the pathogenesis of cancer as well as methods of predicting and validating ceRNA interplay. At last, we discuss the limitations of current ceRNA theory, propose possible directions and envision the possibilities of ceRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiaolong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China.
authors.forename: Da-Hong
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College and The Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huai'an, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D000079962:RNA, Circular; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D000079962:RNA, Circular; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012313:RNA
keywords: Cell biology; Clinical genetics; MicroRNA; Molecular genetics