title: Intergenically Spliced Chimeric RNAs in Cancer.
abstract: Gene fusions and their encoded products (fusion RNAs and proteins) are viewed as one of the hallmarks of cancer. Traditionally, they were thought to be generated solely by chromosomal rearrangements. However, recent discoveries of trans-splicing and cis-splicing events between neighboring genes, suggest that there are other mechanisms to generate chimeric fusion RNAs without corresponding changes in DNA. In addition, chimeric RNAs have been detected in normal physiology, complicating the use of fusions in cancer detection and therapy. On the other hand, "intergenically spliced" fusion RNAs represent a new repertoire of biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Here, we review current knowledge on chimeric RNAs and implications for cancer detection and treatment, and discuss outstanding questions for the advancement of the field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
authors.forename: Yuemeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
authors.forename: Zhongqiu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908.|Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D050939:Gene Fusion; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D012326:RNA Splicing
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Chimeric RNA; cis-SAGe; fusion; intergenic splicing; trans-splicing