Noncoding RNAs in alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a complex process with high morbitity and can cause liver dysfunction, which contains a wide spectrum of hepatic lesions, including steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. To date, the molecular mechanisms for ALD have not been fully explored and an effective therapy is still missing. Overwhelming evidence shows dysregulation of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), is correlated with etiopathogenesis and progress of ALD including hepatocyte damage, disrupted lipid metabolism, aggressive inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, programmed cell death, fibrosis, and epigenetic changes induced by alcohol. For example, circulating miRNA-122 is a marker of hepatocyte damage, and miRNA-155 is a potential marker of inflammation, indicating their diagnosis therapeutic potential in ALD. In addition, roles for long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs in ALD are being uncovered. Further, circulating ncRNAs and exosome-derived ncRNAs have attracted more attention lately, suggesting a role in the prevention and treatment of ALD. This review covers the roles of ncRNAs in ALD, and the potential uses as markers for diagnosis and therapeutic options.     

MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in pancreatic cancer: From epigenetics to potential clinical applications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are two relevant classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that play a pivotal role in a number of molecular processes through different epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of gene expression. As a matter of fact, the altered expression of these types of RNAs leads to the development and progression of a varied range of multifactorial human diseases. Several recent reports elucidated that miRNA and lncRNAs have been implicated in pancreatic cancer (PC). For instance, dysregulation of such ncRNAs has been found to be associated with chemoresistance, apoptosis, autophagy, cell differentiation, tumor suppression, tumor growth, cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in PC. Moreover, several aberrantly expressed miRNAs and lncRNAs have the potential to be used as biomarkers for accurate PC diagnosis. Additionally, miRNAs and lncRNAs are considered as promising clinical targets for PC. Therefore, in this review, we discuss recent experimental evidence regarding the clinical implications of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the pathophysiology of PC, their future potential, as well as the challenges that have arisen in this field of study in order to drive forward the design of ncRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics for PC.     

Regulatory non‐coding RNAs in acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases that leads to high mortality and morbidity globally. Various therapeutic targets for AMI have been investigated in recent years, including the non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs). NcRNAs, a class of RNA molecules that typically do not code proteins, are divided into several subgroups. Among them, microRNAs (miRNAs) are widely studied for their modulation of several pathological aspects of AMI, including cardiomyocyte apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. It has emerged that long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) also regulate these processes via interesting mechanisms. However, the regulatory functions of ncRNAs in AMI and their underlying functional mechanisms have not been systematically described. In this review, we summarize the recent findings involving ncRNA actions in AMI and briefly describe the novel mechanisms of these ncRNAs, highlighting their potential application as therapeutic targets in AMI.     

New insights into the role of microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in most common neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a diversity of neurological disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central nervous system (CNS). The most common NDs are Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Recently, many studies have investigated associations between common NDs with noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) molecules. ncRNAs are regulatory molecules in the normal functioning of the CNS. Two of the most important ncRNAs are microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). These types of ncRNAs are involved in different biological processes including brain development, maturation, differentiation, neuronal cell specification, neurogenesis, and neurotransmission. Increasing data has demonstrated that miRNAs and lncRNAs have strong correlations with the development of NDs, particularly gene expression. Besides, ncRNAs can be introduced as new biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of NDs. Hence, in this review, we summarized the involvement of various miRNAs and lncRNAs in most common NDs followed by a correlation of ncRNAs dysregulation with the AD, PD, and HD.     

CREB与其相关的非编码RNA在肿瘤发生发展中的作用

cAMP反应元件结合蛋白（cAMP responsive element binding protein, CREB）是亮氨酸拉链家族转录因子。新近研究发现,其在肿瘤组织中的表达显著高于癌旁,被认为是体内的原癌基因之一。非编码RNA（non-coding RNA, ncRNA）是生物体内不能翻译成蛋白质的RNA,主要包括微小RNA（microRNA, miRNA）和长链非编码RNA（long non-coding RNA, lncRNA）等,其异常表达与肿瘤的发生发展密切相关,是目前肿瘤研究的热点。研究表明,CREB与ncRNA之间存在互动效应,并且二者之间的相互作用影响肿瘤的发生发展,然而miRNA和lncRNA的作用机制却不相同。肿瘤细胞内高表达的CREB在影响下游靶基因表达时能够正调控miRNA,而对lncRNA则有促进和抑制两方面的作用。反之,肿瘤细胞中一些低表达的miRNA能促进CREB的表达;有趣的是,高表达的lncRNA能够促进CREB的表达和诱导其活性增强。在影响下游靶基因表达时miRNA仅仅发挥抑制作用,而lncRNA则分别具有促进和抑制作用。本文结合我们的系列报道和最新的研究结果,对ncRNA与CREB的互动效应及其与肿瘤的发生发展之间的关系作一综述。     

The latest progress on miR‐374 and its functional implications in physiological and pathological processes

Non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been emerging players in cell development, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Based on their differences in length and structure, they are subdivided into several categories including long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs >200nt), stable non‐coding RNAs (60‐300nt), microRNAs (miRs or miRNAs, 18‐24nt), circular RNAs, piwi‐interacting RNAs (26‐31nt) and small interfering RNAs (about 21nt). Therein, miRNAs not only directly regulate gene expression through pairing of nucleotide bases between the miRNA sequence and a specific mRNA that leads to the translational repression or degradation of the target mRNA, but also indirectly affect the function of downstream genes through interactions with lncRNAs and circRNAs. The latest studies have highlighted their importance in physiological and pathological processes. MiR‐374 family member are located at the X‐chromosome inactivation center. In recent years, numerous researches have uncovered that miR‐374 family members play an indispensable regulatory role, such as in reproductive disorders, cell growth and differentiation, calcium handling in the kidney, various cancers and epilepsy. In this review, we mainly focus on the role of miR‐374 family members in multiple physiological and pathological processes. More specifically, we also summarize their promising potential as novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets from bench to bedside.     

微小RNA和长链非编码RNA介导的昼夜节律调控

非编码RNA(ncRNA)是生物体细胞内一类重要的调控分子,其介导的昼夜节律调控日益受到研究者的重视。本文主要以黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster和哺乳动物的相关研究为背景,阐述了微小RNA(miRNA)和长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)对昼夜节律的调控。miRNA介导的昼夜节律调控包括:生物体内(尤其是钟神经元中)具有节律性表达的miRNA;输入系统和miRNA存在相互调控,这主要是通过光照这个授时因子起作用;miRNA可直接调控核心振荡器,还可以调控其他基因而间接影响到核心振荡器;miRNA对输出系统的调控主要集中在代谢取食节律、运动节律、睡眠节律等。昼夜节律可调控lncRNA的表达,同时lncRNA也可调控昼夜节律,且lncRNA对基因调控范围广,作用机制复杂,这些都具有广阔的研究前景。本文将有助于进一步深入研究ncRNA对昼夜节律的调控。     

非编码RNA在肿瘤细胞糖代谢中的调控作用

非编码RNA(non-coding RNA,ncRNA)是一类不具有蛋白质编码潜能的RNA,可分为管家ncRNA和调控性ncRNA。微RNA(microRNA,miRNA)是研究得比较清楚的一类调控性ncRNA,不仅可调控细胞分化、增殖和凋亡,还可通过调节糖酵解途径中的限速酶［如己糖激酶(hexokinase,HK)、磷酸果糖激酶(phosphofructokinase, PFK)和丙酮酸激酶(pyruvate kinase, PK)］来调控肿瘤细胞的糖代谢。长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNA, lncRNA)是另一类近年来引起重视的调控性ncRNA,它们可通过调节癌基因c Myc、葡糖转运蛋白(glucose transporter, GLUT)、HK和缺氧诱导因子等来调控肿瘤细胞的糖代谢。深入了解miRNA和lncRNA等调控性ncRNA调控肿瘤细胞糖代谢的机制不仅可以使我们更加深入地了解肿瘤的发生机制,而且可能为肿瘤的预防、诊断和治疗提供新方向。     

Non-coding RNAs: Functional roles in the regulation of stress response in Brassica crops

Brassica crops face a combination of different abiotic and biotic stresses in the field that can reduce plant growth and development by affecting biochemical and morpho-physiological processes. Emerging evidence suggests that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), play a significant role in the modulation of gene expression in response to plant stresses. Recent advances in computational and experimental approaches are of great interest for identifying and functionally characterizing ncRNAs. While progress in this field is limited, numerous ncRNAs involved in the regulation of gene expression in response to stress have been reported in Brassica. In this review, we summarize the modes of action and functions of stress-related miRNAs and lncRNAs in Brassica as well as the approaches used to identify ncRNAs.     

Strategies and challenges for non-viral delivery of non-coding RNAs to the heart

Non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as miRNAs and long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported as regulators of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Their transient effect and diversified mechanisms of action offer a plethora of therapeutic opportunities for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, physicochemical RNA features such as charge, stability, and structural organization hinder efficient on-target cellular delivery. Here, we highlight recent preclinical advances in ncRNA delivery for the cardiovascular system using non‐viral approaches. We identify the unmet needs and advance possible solutions towards clinical translation. Finding the optimal delivery vehicle and administration route is vital to improve therapeutic efficacy and safety; however, given the different types of ncRNAs, this may ultimately not be frameable within a one-size-fits-all approach.     

Noncoding RNAs as circulating biomarkers in osteosarcoma patients

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) identify a large family of RNAs that do not encode proteins and represent an important group of tumor biomarkers, directly involved in the process of tumor pathogenesis and progression. Many of them have also been identified in biological fluids of patients with cancer, especially blood, suggesting their role as an emerging class of circulating biomarkers. Many ncRNAs, both miRNAs and lncRNAs, are deregulated in sarcoma tissues, with the most consistent data in osteosarcomas. In patients with osteosarcoma, the role of ncRNAs as circulating biomarkers is taking enormous value, above all for their ability to vary expression levels during disease progression and in response to therapy. In this mini-review, we summarize the main studies supporting the role of circulating ncRNAs in monitoring disease status in patients with osteosarcoma.     

Non-coding RNAs and diseases

With the completion of large scale genomic sequencing, a great number of non-conding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been discovered and capture the attention of the biological sciences community. All known ncRNAs may be divided into two groups, namely: i—small ncRNAs, which comprise microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and ii—several thousands of long ncRNAs (lncRNAs). NcRNAs were shown to be involved in eukaryotic growth and development, cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, epigenetic modifications, and also the complex control and pathogenesis of various diseases. In this paper, knowledge on the ncRNAs, which functioning is associated with human diseases, has been summarized.     

肿瘤发生过程中miRNA与lncRNA的相互作用

非编码RNA(non-coding RNA,ncRNA)是生物体内普遍存在,且对生命活动具有重要调控作用的生物分子.以微RNA（microRNA,miRNA）和长链非编码RNA（long non coding RNA,lncRNA）为代表的ncRNA分子在肿瘤发生和发展过程中都有重要的作用.越来越多研究发现,miRNA和lncRNA之间的关系是非常密切的,某些lncRNA(如H19和BIC)可以作为miRNA的前体,通过加工成miRNA而发挥作用.有些miRNA通过作用于lncRNA影响肿瘤的发生(如：miR-129与MEG3,let-7与H19);同样地,有些lncRNA通过作用于miRNA影响肿瘤的发生(如：HULC与miR-372,PTCSC3与miR-574-5p,ciRS-7与miR-7,Sry与miR-138).miRNA与lncRNA之间既可以直接相互作用,也可以通过其它分子（特别是蛋白质或蛋白质复合物）间接地影响着肿瘤的发生和发展.揭示miRNA和lncRNA相互作用在肿瘤发生中的作用可以为肿瘤的诊断和治疗提供新思路.