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World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2014; 20(18): 5411-5419
Published online May 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5411
Non-coding RNAs and gastric cancer
Pei-Fei Li, Sheng-Can Chen, Tian Xia, Xiao-Ming Jiang, Yong-Fu Shao, Bing-Xiu Xiao, Jun-Ming Guo
Pei-Fei Li, Sheng-Can Chen, Tian Xia, Xiao-Ming Jiang, Yong-Fu Shao, Bing-Xiu Xiao, Jun-Ming Guo, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Li PF collected materials and drafted the paper; Chen SC, Xia T, Jiang XM, Shao YF and Xiao BX performed the literature search; Guo JM provided ideas and guided the writing.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81171660; Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China, No. LY14C060003; Natural Science Foundation of Ningbo, No. 2012A610207; The Scientific Innovation Team Project of Ningbo, No. 2011B82014; The Project of Key Disciplines in Ningbo, No. XKL11D2127 and No. XKL11D2128; Foundation of Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, No. 201301; and K.C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University
Correspondence to: Jun-Ming Guo, MD, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang Province, China. junmingguo@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-574-87600758 Fax: +86-574-87608638
Received: October 20, 2013
Revised: February 25, 2014
Accepted: March 6, 2014
Published online: May 14, 2014
Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play key roles in development, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Altered ncRNA expression is associated with gastric cancer occurrence, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is significantly related to gastric cancer tumor stage, size, differentiation and metastasis. MiRNAs interrupt cellular signaling pathways, inhibit the activity of tumor suppressor genes, and affect the cell cycle in gastric cancer cells. Some miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-106a and miR-421, could be potential markers for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a new research hotspot among cancer-associated ncRNAs, play important roles in epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Several gastric cancer-associated lncRNAs, such as CCAT1, GACAT1, H19, and SUMO1P3, have been explored. In addition, Piwi-interacting RNAs, another type of small ncRNA that is recognized by gastroenterologists, are involved in gastric carcinogenesis, and piR-651/823 represents an efficient diagnostic biomarker of gastric cancer that can be detected in the blood and gastric juice. Small interfering RNAs also function in post-transcriptional regulation in gastric cancer and might be useful in gastric cancer treatment.

Keywords: Non-coding RNA, MicroRNA, Piwi-interacting RNA, Long non-coding RNA, Small interfering RNA, Gastric cancer

Core tip: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are closely associated with gastric cancer occurrence, invasion, and metastasis. MicroRNAs interrupt cellular signaling pathways, inhibit the activity of tumor suppressor genes, and affect the cell cycle in gastric cancer cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a new research hotspot in the field of gastric cancer-associated ncRNAs. The global lncRNA expression profile in gastric cancer has been determined. In addition, Piwi-interacting RNAs are involved in gastric carcinogenesis. Small interfering RNAs function as post-transcriptional regulators in gastric cancer, and they might be used for the treatment of gastric cancer.