Potential and application of abortive transcripts as a novel molecular marker of cancers

Abstract

Abortive transcript (AT) is a 2-19 nt long non-coding RNA that is produced in the abortive initiation stage. Abortive initiation was found to be closely related to RNA polymerase through in vitro experiments. Therefore, the distribution of AT length and the scale of abortive initiation are correlated to the promoter, discriminator, and transcription initiation sequence, and can be affected by transcription elongation factors. AT plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various diseases. Here we summarize the discovery of AT, the factors responsible for AT formation, the detection methods and biological functions of AT, to provide new clues for finding potential targets in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Keywords: Abortive transcript; Abortive initiation; RNA polymerase; Transcription; Tumor marker

Core Tip: Abortive transcript (AT), as a special non-coding RNA, is the transcription product of abortive initiation. Abortive initiation occurs before normal transcription initiation and may be influenced by many factors. If its expression can be monitored normally, it will be of great significance for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Though there are many difficulties and challenges in the study of AT in diseases, in-depth exploration of the role and mechanism of AT in cancers will provide a new potential target for early diagnosis and treatment of cancers and clinical prognosis.