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World J Clin Oncol. May 10, 2014; 5(2): 134-141
Published online May 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i2.134
Long non-coding RNAs in stem cells and cancer
Gabriel Eades, Yong-Shu Zhang, Qing-Lin Li, Ji-Xiang Xia, Yuan Yao, Qun Zhou
Gabriel Eades, Yong-Shu Zhang, Qing-Lin Li, Ji-Xiang Xia, Yuan Yao, Qun Zhou, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
Author contributions: Eades G generated the figure and wrote the manuscript; Zhang YS, Li QL and Xia JX contributed to the writing of the manuscript; Yao Y reviewed the manuscript; Zhou Q designed the aim of the editorial and wrote the manuscript.
Supported by ACS (Zhou Q); and NIH/NCI R01 (Zhou Q)
Correspondence to: Qun Zhou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W Baltimore St 480, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States. qzhou@som.umaryland.edu
Telephone: +1-410-706-1615 Fax: +1-410-706-8297
Received: November 1, 2013
Revised: January 22, 2014
Accepted: March 3, 2014
Published online: May 10, 2014
Processing time: 192 Days and 15.8 Hours
Abstract

An overwhelming majority of the transcribed genome encodes for non-coding RNA (ncRNA) sequences. Deep sequencing of the transcriptome has uncovered tens of thousands of long ncRNA (lncRNA) sequences. However, little is known regarding the possible functions for a vast majority of these sequences. Among those lncRNAs whose function has been experimentally validated, most serve as regulators of gene expression. LncRNAs have been found to be critical to development and homeostasis and they have been implicated in several pathologies including cancer. Here, we examine the functions and underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in stem cells and in cancer biology, areas linked by the actions of lncRNAs.

Keywords: Long non-coding RNA; Stem cell; Cancer stem cell

Core tip: We discuss long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in stem cells, where they are shown to be critical regulators of pluripotency and self-renewal. Next, we examine lncRNAs role in regulating the epigenome. Finally we summarize the suspected involvement of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis.