These findings indicate that the polymorphisms in the lncRNA PRNCR1 may be related to the development of CRC, offering a novel and potential strategy for functional analysis of susceptibility loci to human diseases.
It has been shown that lncRNAs have developmental and tissue specific expression patterns, with an aberrant regulation in various diseases, including cancer [24, 36–44]. LncRNAs have been reported to be involved in cancer GSK872 manufacturer development in three different ways: Firstly, some lncRNAs take part in the process as oncogene or oncogene regulator, for example, find more MALAT1 gene in non-small cell lung cancer [45] and H19 in colon cancer [46]. The expression of MALAT1 was up-regulated in many kinds
of human cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and uterus cancer [44, 47–49]. Mice lacking H19 presented an increased polyp count which is related to CRC [50]. Secondly, lncRNA may be related to cancer metastasis or prognosis. Gupta et al. reported a lncRNA HOTAIR which was associated with cancer metastasis and poor survival [33]. Thirdly, lncRNAs appear as tumor suppressor gene: MEG3 is the first lncRNA proposed to function as a tumor suppressor and also a top level regulatory RNA because of its ability stimulating both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways [32, 51]. Recurring Mdivi1 chromosomal aberrations can influence the expression of many lncRNAs, such as disrupted Thalidomide in schizophrenia 1 and 2 (DISC1 and DISC2), which were involved in the development of various diseases [52, 53]. For instance, a large number of SNPs in the DISC1 genomic sequence have been reported to be associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorder
[54, 55]. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that SNPs located in non-coding regions may be used as susceptibility factors to several diseases. Scott et al. reported that SNPs adjacent to the lncRNA ANRIL were associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes [56]. The viewpoint was also confirmed by a separate study, which reported that distinct SNPs in the lncRNA ANRIL locus were associated with susceptibility to coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis [57]. Further characterization of the identified polymorphisms showed that SNPs can disrupt ANRIL splicing, leading to a circular transcript that is resistant to RNase digestion [35]. The circularized transcripts have effect on ANRIL normal function and influence INK4/ARF expression. Other evidence is from the recent study of leukemia and CRC which identified both germline and somatic mutations in lncRNA genes [58]. Recently, a novel lncRNA, named PRNCR1, has been discovered and was reported to be up-regulated in prostate cancer [19].