Long non-coding RNAs in cancer invasion and metastasis.

Abstract

Recent large-scale transcriptome analyses have revealed that the human genome contains more than just protein-coding genes. Indeed, a large number of transcripts, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), lack protein-coding capacity, and increasing evidence suggests that lncRNAs could have a critical role in the regulation of diverse cellular processes, such as stem cell pluripotency, development, cell growth and apoptosis, and cancer invasion and/or metastasis. Furthermore, the aberrant expression of several lncRNAs is closely linked to cancer invasion and/or metastasis. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate cancer invasion and/or metastasis are not clearly understood, recent studies have revealed that aberrant lncRNAs expression affects the progression of cancer. In this review, we highlight recent findings regarding the roles of lncRNAs in cancer invasion and/or metastasis.