Junk DNA plays active role in cancer

4 June 2013

A human gene sequence until recently considered ‘junk' could promote cancer progression, according to research at the University of Nottingham.

The researchers discovered that the presence of this faulty genetic element — known as chimeric transcript LCT13 — is associated with the switching off of a known tumour suppressor gene (known as TFPI-2) whose expression is required to prevent cancer invasion and metastasis. Their findings have been published in the journal Nucleic Acid Research.

This faulty genetic element was previously identified by the team as part of a group of chimeric transcripts which are produced by DNA sequences frequently regarded as junk DNA called LINE-1 (L1).

This research expands on the previous observation as it indicates that in addition to acting as potential diagnostic tools these rogue elements can play an active role in cancer.

Dr Tufarelli said: “This study has identified a novel way in which ‘junk DNA’ can interfere with the normal functioning of a cell. The next step will be to understand how these elements become switched on. This information will be important in the design of treatments aimed to prevent activation of these elements and cancer progression.”

The work was initiated through funding by Cancer Research UK, the Royal Society, MRC and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Reference

Cruickshanks HA. Expression of a large LINE-1-driven antisense RNA is linked to epigenetic silencing of the metastasis suppressor gene TFPI-2 in cancer. Nucl. Acids Res. 2013. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkt438

	Junk DNA plays active role in cancer 4 June 2013 Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. A human gene sequence until recently considered ‘junk' could promote cancer progression, according to research at the University of Nottingham. The researchers discovered that the presence of this faulty genetic element — known as chimeric transcript LCT13 — is associated with the switching off of a known tumour suppressor gene (known as TFPI-2) whose expression is required to prevent cancer invasion and metastasis. Their findings have been published in the journal Nucleic Acid Research. This faulty genetic element was previously identified by the team as part of a group of chimeric transcripts which are produced by DNA sequences frequently regarded as junk DNA called LINE-1 (L1). This research expands on the previous observation as it indicates that in addition to acting as potential diagnostic tools these rogue elements can play an active role in cancer. Dr Tufarelli said: “This study has identified a novel way in which ‘junk DNA’ can interfere with the normal functioning of a cell. The next step will be to understand how these elements become switched on. This information will be important in the design of treatments aimed to prevent activation of these elements and cancer progression.” The work was initiated through funding by Cancer Research UK, the Royal Society, MRC and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Reference Cruickshanks HA. Expression of a large LINE-1-driven antisense RNA is linked to epigenetic silencing of the metastasis suppressor gene TFPI-2 in cancer. Nucl. Acids Res. 2013. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkt438 To top