The Interaction between LncRNAs and Epigenetic Factors in Gastric Cancer Progression

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies in East Asian countries and the second cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays a crucial role in the development of GC. These molecules take part in various biological processes such as apoptosis, invasion, cell death markers, reprogramming of pluripotent stem cells, and genomic imprinting, which show that lncRNAs play an essential role in eukaryotic gene expression. LncRNAs interact with epigenetic factors including DNA methylases, histone modifiers, miRNAs, and chromatin remodeling complex, which lead to altered gene expression and cancer progression. Because the symptoms of GC usually develop in advanced stages, it is important to identify factors that are of clinical value for early diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Therefore, in this review article, lncRNAs whose expression levels are increased in GC tissue and by interacting with epigenetic factors may be involved in the development of GC are discussed.

Keywords: LncRNA, epigenetic, and gastric cancer