The RNA revolution and cancer

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Background

Over the last decades the field of molecular biology has witnessed many remarkable discoveries adding to our understanding of the molecular heterogeneity of cancer, including endocrine-related cancer.

One area of molecular biology that has expanded significantly over the last decades is RNA biology. Its expansion can be observed through an explosion of research articles covering its many diverse aspects.

Firstly, we now have a detailed understanding of the direct roles of RNA in the macromolecular assemblies that mediate cellular functions; and aligned with this, we have gained significant insights into the functional versatility and structural complexity of RNA molecules. In parallel, we have also developed a significant understanding of how proteins can recognise and bind RNA sequences and structures.

Secondly, it is now abundantly clear that the regulation of gene expression incorporates many RNA-centered processes. These include co-transcriptional pre-mRNA processing including alternative polyadenylation, and in particular, alternative splicing. Improperly spliced mRNA isoforms and aberrantly acting splicing factors play important roles in endocrine-related cancers, such as breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, and thyroid cancers.

As well as pre-mRNA splicing, gene expression is modulated post-transcriptionally in several additional ways. Messenger RNA translation is a highly regulated process, as is mRNA localisation, mRNA stability. RNA editing, including mRNA methylation, adds further regulatory complexity.

Last but not least is the emergence of regulatory noncoding RNAs, most notably microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). These RNA molecules participate directly in the regulation of expression of their target genes.

All of these RNA-centered processes play vital roles in cancer biology. A better understanding of RNA biology presents immense opportunities for biomarker discovery, better diagnosis, and novel opportunities for therapy.

The present Research Topic aims to highlight the growing importance of all areas of RNA biology in all aspects of endocrine-related cancers.

We welcome a range of article types, including Original Research, Review, Mini-review, and Perspective.

Keywords: endocrine-related cancers, alternative splicing, biomarkers, treatment

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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