PRNCR1: a long non-coding RNA with a pivotal oncogenic role in cancer

AbstractLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been gaining importance in the field of cancer research in recent years.PRNCR1 (prostate cancer-associated non-coding RNA1) is a 12.7  kb, intron-less lncRNA found to play an oncogenic role in malignancy of diverse organs including prostate, breast, lung, oral cavity, colon and rectum. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ofPRNCR1 locus have been found to be associated with cancer susceptibility in different populations. In this review, an attempt has been made for the first time to summarize all sorts of available data onPRNCR1 to date from relevant databases (GeneCard, LncExpDB, Ensembl genome browser, and PubMed). As functional roles ofPRNCR1, miRNA (microRNA) sponging was mostly highlighted in the pathogenesis of different cancer; in addition, an association of the lncRNA with chromatin-modifying complex to enhance androgen receptor-mediated gene transcription was reported in prostate cancer. Diagnostic and prognostic importance ofPRNCR1 was found in some malignancies suggesting potency of the lncRNA to serve as a clinical biomarker. ForPRNCR1 SNPs, although cancer susceptibility of the risk alleles/genotypes was reported in different populations, majorities of the findings were not replicated and underlying molecular mechanisms remained unexplored. Therapeutic implication ofPRNCR1 was not studied well and future research may come up in this direction for intervening novel strategies to fight against cancer.
Source: Human Genetics - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research