title: Non-coding landscapes of colorectal cancer.
abstract: For two decades Vogelstein's model has been the paradigm for describing the sequence of molecular changes within protein-coding genes that would lead to overt colorectal cancer (CRC). This model is now too simplistic in the light of recent studies, which have shown that our genome is pervasively transcribed in RNAs other than mRNAs, denominated non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). The discovery that mutations in genes encoding these RNAs [i.e., microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs] are causally involved in cancer phenotypes has profoundly modified our vision of tumour molecular genetics and pathobiology. By exploiting a wide range of different mechanisms, ncRNAs control fundamental cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis and apoptosis: these data have also confirmed their role as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in cancer development and progression. The existence of a sophisticated RNA-based regulatory system, which dictates the correct functioning of protein-coding networks, has relevant biological and biomedical consequences. Different miRNAs involved in neoplastic and degenerative diseases exhibit potential predictive and prognostic properties. Furthermore, the key roles of ncRNAs make them very attractive targets for innovative therapeutic approaches. Several recent reports have shown that ncRNAs can be secreted by cells into the extracellular environment (i.e., blood and other body fluids): this suggests the existence of extracellular signalling mechanisms, which may be exploited by cells in physiology and pathology. In this review, we will summarize the most relevant issues on the involvement of cellular and extracellular ncRNAs in disease. We will then specifically describe their involvement in CRC pathobiology and their translational applications to CRC diagnosis, prognosis and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ragusa
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbagallo
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Statello
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo Giuseppe
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Condorelli
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamburello
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barbagallo
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Pietro
authors.affiliation: Marco Ragusa, Cristina Barbagallo, Luisa Statello, Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli, Rosalia Battaglia, Lucia Tamburello, Davide Barbagallo, Cinzia Di Pietro, Michele Purrello, BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit (BMGS) - Section of Biology and Genetics G Sichel, Department of BioMedical Sciences and BioTechnology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Purrello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D010641:Phenotype; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D022661:RNA, Untranslated
keywords: Circular RNAs; Colorectal cancer; Diagnosis; Long non-coding RNAs; MicroRNA; Prognosis; Therapy