REVIEW article

Front. Cell Dev. Biol., 13 August 2021

Sec. Molecular and Cellular Oncology

Volume 9 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.714787

Non-coding RNA Activated by DNA Damage: Review of Its Roles in the Carcinogenesis

  • 1. Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  • 2. Men’s Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  • 3. Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq

  • 4. Phytochemistry Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  • 5. Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  • 6. Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Long intergenic non-coding RNA 00657 (LINC00657) or “non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage” (NORAD) is an extremely conserved and copious long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). This transcript has pivotal role in the preservation of genome integrity. Several researches have appraised the role of NORAD in the evolution of human cancers with most of them indicating an oncogenic role for this lncRNA. Several miRNAs such as miR-199a-3p, miR-608, miR−155−5p, miR-590-3p, miR-495-3p, miR-608, miR-202-5p, miR-125a-3p, miR-144-3p, miR−202−5p, and miR-30a-5p have been recognized as targets of NORAD in different cancer cell lines. In addition, NORAD has interactions with cancer-related pathways, particularly STAT, TGF-β, Akt/mTOR, and PI3K/AKT pathway. Over-expression of NORAD has been related with poor clinical outcome of patients with diverse types of neoplasms. Collectively, NORAD is a prospective marker and target for combating cancer.

Introduction

Long intergenic non-coding RNA 00657 (LINC00657) or alternatively named as “non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage” (NORAD) is an extremely conserved and copious long non-coding RNA (lncRNA; ). This transcript has a crucial role in the conservation of genome stability since its inactivation results in striking aneuploidy in formerly karyotypically normal cells (). This function of NORAD is exerted through sequestering Pumilio RNA Binding Family Members (). In addition, NORAD has functional interactions with an element of DNA-damage system namely RNA Binding Motif Protein X-Linked (RBMX). NORAD regulates the capacity of RBMX to construct a ribonucleoprotein complex which encompasses a number of proteins such as topoisomerase I (). Depletion of NORAD results in high rate of chromosome segregation impairments, abridged replication-fork speed and changed cell-cycle movement (). Due to the critical role of NORAD in the maintenance of genome stability and cell cycle progression, it is not surprising that dysregulation of this lncRNA leads to cancer. Therefore, several studies have appraised the role of this NORAD in initiation or progression of diverse types of malignancies. In the current review, we describe the role of NORAD in the evolution of human cancers based on the conducted experiments in cell lines, animal models and human subjects.

Cell Line Studies

Expression of NORAD has been down-regulated in endometrial cancer cells. Forced up-regulation of this lncRNA suppressed growth of endometrial cancer cells and enhanced their apoptosis. Such effects have been exerted through NORAD binding with the anti-apoptotic protein Far Upstream Element Binding Protein 1 (FUBP1). Interaction between NORAD and FUBP1 has been shown to decrease nuclear localization of this anti-apoptotic protein, releasing the pro-apoptotic gene promoters from FUBP1 occupation and enhancing apoptosis in these cells (). A single study in colorectal cancer cells showed down-regulation of NORAD. Forced over-expression of NORAD reduced cell viability and invasiveness of these cells while enhanced cell apoptosis. This lncRNA has increased expression of Calpain 7 (CAPN7) and suppressed activity of PI3K/AKT pathway (). However, two other studies in colorectal cancer cells reported the role of NORAD in increasing cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion while inhibiting apoptosis (; ). Other studies in diverse cancer cell lines also supported the oncogenic role of this lncRNA. For instance, in ovarian cancer cells, over-expression of NORAD has been correlated with down-regulation of miR-199a-3p. NORAD silencing could suppress proliferation, invasiveness, migratory potential, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of these cells. Functional studies confirmed the direct interplay between NORAD and miR-199a-3p (). Besides, NORAD up-regulation has enhanced migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through sponging miR-202-5p, which acts as a tumor-suppressor miRNA through the TGF-β pathway (). The functional effect of NORAD in activation of TGF-β signaling has also verified in breast cancer cells (). In lung cancer cells, NORAD promotes EMT-like characteristics through activation of TGF-β signaling. In this type of cancer, importin β1 has been found to be a binding partner of NORAD. NORAD silencing has inhibited the physical interaction between importin β1 with Smad3 to some extent, thus blocking amassment of Smad complexes in the nucleus following induction with TGF−β. Therefore, NORAD facilitates the interaction between importin β1 and Smad3 to enhance nuclear amassment of Smad complexes following exposure to TGF-β (). Lentivirus-mediated silencing of NORAD in epithelial cancer cells has inhibited proliferation, reduced chemoresistance and attenuated cell cycle progression. These roles are exerted through acting as a molecular sponge for hsa-miR-155-5p (). In cervical cancer cells, NORAD enhances expression of SIP1 to increase cell proliferation, invasiveness and EMT. These effects are due to sponging miR-590-3p (). In neuroblastoma, in addition to enhancement of cell proliferation and invasion, NORAD increases doxorubicin resistance possibly through suppression of apoptosis and autophagy. These effects are exerted through miR-144-3p/HDAC8 axis (). In osteosarcoma cell lines, NORAD regulates cancer cell features via acting as a molecular sponge for hsa-miR-199a-3p (). Another study has shown that transcription of NORAD is suppressed by the YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex, a transducer of Hippo pathway. NuRD complex also facilitates transcriptional silencing of NORAD through this route. NORAD exerts effective suppressive impact on migration and invasion of neoplastic cell lines, and blockage of NORAD expression contributes in the pro-migratory and invasive impacts of the YAP pathway. Functionally, NORAD uses its numerous repeated sequences to act as a multifaceted scaffold for binding and isolating S100P, thus inhibiting S100P-associated pro-metastatic cascades ().

Non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage has also been found to increase expression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins. Expression of these proteins has not not considerably influenced by miR-520a-3p mimic. However, co-transfection of NORAD and miR-520 mimic has upturned the expression of these proteins. NORAD silencing has not affected expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-associated proteins, while anti-miR-520 has enhanced expression of these proteins. Taken together, NORAD has been shown to induce the activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling through sponging miR-520 ().

Table 1 displays summary of studies which evaluated expression of NORAD in cancer cell lines.

TABLE 1

Cancer typesTargets/regulators and signaling pathwaysCell linesFunctionRef
Endometrial cancerFUBP1ISK and SPEC-2↑ NORAD: ↓ cell growth and ↑ apoptosis
Ovarian cancermiR-199a-3pSKOV3, HO8910, A2780, OVCAR-3 and IOSE80Δ NORAD: ↓cell proliferation, invasiveness, and migration ability
miR-608/STAT3SKOV3, Caov3, A2780, HO-8910, OVCAR3 and HOEpiCΔ NORAD: ↓cell viability, migration, invasiveness and ↑ apoptosis. mediating the antineoplastic impacts of physcion 8-O-b-glucopyranoside
Epithelial ovarian cancermiR-155-5pSK-OV-3, CAOV-3, CAOV-4, OVCAR-3, HEY-T30, ES-2, SW/626 and HS832.TcΔ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation and chemoresistance
Cervical cancermiR-590-3p/SIP1SiHa, HeLa, ME180, C33a, CaSki and Ect1/E6E7Δ NORAD: ↓ cells proliferation, colony formation ability, invasion and EMT
Breast cancerTGF-β pathwayMCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and MCF10AΔ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, migration and invasion
YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex and S100PMDA-MB-231, Hs578T, T47D, ZR75Δ NORAD: ↑ cell migration and invasion
miR-323a-3p/PUM1/eIF2MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-453, T47D and MCF10AΔ NORAD: ↓ cell viability, invasion and migration
Prostate cancermiR-495-3p/TRIP13DU145, 22Rv1, LNCaP and RWPE-1Δ NORAD: ↑ cell apoptosis and ↓ cell proliferation, migration, and invasion
miR-541-3p/PKM222Rv1, DU145, PC-3, C4-2B and RWPE-1Δ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, migration and invasion
LNCaP, 22Rv1, PC-3, DU145 and RWPE-1Δ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, migration and ↑ cell apoptosis
miR-30a-5p/RAB11A/WNT/β-catenin pathwayPC-3, LNCap, 22RV1, DU-145 and RWPE-1Δ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, invasion and EMT
Bladder cancerTSSCUP, T24, 639 V and UMUC1Δ NORAD: ↓ cells proliferation and colony formation ability
Renal cell carcinomamiR-144-3p/MYCN86-O, A498, ACHN, OS-RC-2 and HK-2↑ NORAD: ↑ cell proliferation and migratory potential
Gastric cancerRhoA/ROCK1 PathwayAGS, BGC-823, HGC-27, MGC-803 and GES-1Δ NORAD: ↑ cell apoptosis and ↓ cell proliferation and Metastatic Behavior
miR-608/FOXO6MKN28, MKN45, SGC7901, SNU-16 and GES-1Δ NORAD: ↓ tumor growth, migration and ↑ cell apoptosis
miR-214/Akt/mTORBSG823, MKN28, BGC803, BGC823 and GSE1Δ NORAD: ↑ cell apoptosis and ↓ cell proliferation
Colorectal cancerCAPN7 and PI3K/AKT pathwayHCT116, Caco2, Caco205, SW620, SW480 and NCM460↑ NORAD: ↓ Cell Proliferation and Invasion
HCT116 and SW1116Δ NORAD: ↓ cell viability, migration and invasion
miR-202-5pSW480, HCT116 and FHCΔ NORAD: ↓ Cell Proliferation, migration, invasion and ↑ Cellular Apoptosis
miR-203aHCT116, SW620, SW480, HT29 and NCM460Δ NORAD: ↓ Cell invasion
Pancreatic cancermiR-125a-3p/RhoASW1990, Capan-1, PANC-1, AsPC-1, CFPAC-1, MIAPaCa-2 and BxPC-3Δ NORAD: ↓cell migration and invasion
Hepatocellular carcinomamiR-144-3p/SEPT2Hep3B, Huh7, BEL-7402, HCCLM3 and LO2Δ NORAD: ↓cell proliferation, colony formation and ↑ apoptosis
miR-202-5p/TGF-βSMMC-7721, Huh7, PLC/PRF/5, and Hep3B↑ NORAD: ↑ cell proliferation, enhanced the colony construction, cell migration and invasion
miR-211-5p/FOXD1/VEGF-A axisΔ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis
Lung cancerCXCR4 and CXCL12/RhoA/ROCK pathwayA549, SPC-A1, SK-MES-1 and 16HBEΔ NORAD: ↓ Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion
miR-30a-5p/ADAM19H460, H1299, A549, and SCLC-21H and HBEΔ NORAD: ↓cell proliferation, migration, invasion and ↑ cell apoptosis
YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex and S100PH460, CL1-0, CL1-5,293T and 293FTΔ NORAD: ↑ cell migration and invasion
Non-small cell lung cancermiR-129-1-3p/SOX4H446 and A549Δ NORAD: resensitized to DDP (cisplatin)
TGF- βA549Δ NORAD: ↓cell migration and EMT-like morphological changes
miR-656-3p/AKT1SPC-A1, H460, H1650, A549 and HBE↑ NORAD: ↑ cell proliferation and migration
miR-136-5p/E2F1A549, H1975, H1650, LK-2, H1299, H460 and HBEΔ NORAD: ↓cell proliferation and glycolysis
miR-520a-3p/PI3k/Akt/mTOR Signaling pathwayA549, H1299, H460, SK-MES-1, Calu3 and HEK293TΔ NORAD: ↓cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion
miR-422aA549, SK-MES-1, H1975, SK-LU-1 and 16HBE↑ NORAD: ↑cell viability, migration, invasion and EMT
miR-455/CDK14NCI-H1650 and HCC827Δ NORAD: ↓ proliferation ability
miR-202-5p/P-gpA549/DPPΔ NORAD: ↑ cisplatin sensitivity in A549/DPP cells
miR-363-3p/PEAK1 and ERK1/2 signaling pathwayH1975, H1299, A549, 95D, and H460, (HEK)-293 T, BEAS-2B and MRC5Δ NORAD: ↓ invasion and EMT
Papillary Thyroid carcinomamiR-202-5pK1, BCPAP, TPC1 and NPA187 and HT-ori3↑ NORAD: ↑ cell growth, invasion, migration and EMT
Esophageal cancermiR-26a-5p/CKS2 via MDM2/p53/Bcl2/Bax pathwayKYSE-150, ECA-109 and HEECΔ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, invasion, migration and ↑ cell apoptosis
Oral squamous cell carcinomamiR-150Fadu, SCC-25, CAL-27, Tca8113 and Hs 680.TgΔ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation
Malignant melanomamiR-205/EGLN2A375, WM451, SK-MEL-24, WM35 and HMΔ NORAD: ↓ cell migration and invasion
GliomaAKR1B1GSC11, M059J, U251, T98G and A735Δ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, invasion, migration and ↑ cell apoptosis
NeuroblastomaSK-N-BE, SMS-KAN, SMS-KCN, CHLA-15, CHLA-122, NBL-W, SK-N-BE, SMS-KANR, SMS-KCNR, CHLA20, CHLA-136 and NBL-WRNORAD may be able to predict neuroblastoma outcome
miR-1443p/HDAC8SK-N-SH, IMR-32 and HUVECΔ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, migration, invasion and ↑ apoptosis, autophagy and doxorubicin resistance
Chromosomal instabilitySH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE ()Δ NORAD: ↑ cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle arrest specially impaired sister chromatid cohesion and segregation
OsteosarcomamiR-199a-3pSaos-2, 143B, HOS, KHOS/240S, MG-63, U-2OS, SK-ES- and Hs755Δ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation and invasion
miR-410-3pHOS/DDPΔ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation and ↑ sensitivity to cisplatin
miR-155-5p143B, HOS, MG63, Saos-2, U2OS, hFOB and HEK-293TΔ NORAD: ↓ cell proliferation, migration and invasion

Summarized results of studies which evaluated expression of NORAD in cell lines (Δ: knock-down, EMT: epithelial–mesenchymal transition).

Figure 1 depicts the role of Hippo cascade transducer YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex in inhibiting the expression of lncRNA NORAD in lung and breast neoplasms, and consequent attenuation of the tumor suppressor roles of NORAD in tumor cells.

FIGURE 1

). Mounting evidence has collectively demonstrated that the Hippo pathway transducer YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex could play an effective role in suppressing the expression level of lncRNA NORAD in both lung and breast cancers. Its downregulation correlates with enhancement of migration, invasion as well as metastasis in tumor cells ().

Figure 2 demonstrates the modulation of TRIP13 expression through lncRNA NORAD indicating that TRIP13 upregulation could suppress the impacts of miR-495-3p up-regulation on the proliferation, apoptosis, migratory potential, and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells.

FIGURE 2

).

Figure 3 represents the oncogenic role of NORAD in gastric cancer progression via modulating the expression levels of RhoA/ROCK1.

FIGURE 3

).

Human Studies

Based on the assessment of data available in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) as well as an independent cohort of patients with endometrial cancer, expression of NORAD has been decreased in endometrial cancer samples compared with normal tissue samples in association with cancer progression. Notably, has been identified as the underlying mechanism of NORAD down-regulation in these samples (). A single study in patients with colorectal cancer demonstrated down-regulation of NORAD in tumor tissues particularly in samples obtained from patients developed distant metastasis. Down-regulation of NORAD has been associated with poor patients’ outcome, advanced tumor size and TNM stage (). Apart from these two studies, other studies have reported up-regulation of NORAD in tumoral samples compared with non-tumoral samples from the same tissue. Such over-expression has also been verified in other cohorts of patients with colorectal cancer (; ). Besides, expression of this lncRNA has been up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples compared with adjacent tissues in correlation with poor overall survival (). Over-expression of NORAD in cervical cancer patients has been correlated with higher stage, lymph nodes and vascular involvement, and poor survival (). Table 2 depicts the results of studies which evaluated expression of NORAD in clinical samples.

TABLE 2

Cancer typesNumber of clinical samples (tissue, serum, etc.)Expression tumor vs normalKaplan–Meier analysisUnivariate cox regressionMultivariate cox regressionRef
Endometrial cancer (EC)56 EC tissues, 54 ANTTs and 20 normal endometrial tissues, TCGA dataDownDecreased NORAD level was correlated with poor survival in patients with EC
Ovarian cancer (OC)86 paired of OC tissues and ANNTsUp
56 paired of OC tissues and ANNTsUp
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)17 paired of EOC tissues and ANNTsUp
Cervical cancer (CC)47 paired of CC tissues and ANNTsUpNORAD upregulation was correlated with poor OS in CC patients
Breast cancer (BC)21 BC tissues and 10 ANNTsUpNORAD upregulation was correlated with worse survival compared to the downregulation groups
44 BC tissues (subtypes: HER2, luminal A, luminal B, basal-like and triple-negative)Up (Differentially expressed among BC subtypes)Higher expression of NORAD in Basal-like subtype correlated with lower disease-free survival rate
108 paired of BC tissues and ANNTsUp
Prostate cancer (PC)30 paired of PC tissues and ANNTsUp
74 paired of PC tissues and ANNTsUpHigher NORAD expression associated with poor survival
45 paired of PC tissues and ANNTsUp
Bladder cancer10 paired of BC tissues and ANNTsUpOver-expression of NORAD was significantly associated with worse OSTumor stage, histological grade, lymph node involvement, and NORAD expression were significantly associated with OSNORAD over-expression was independent prognostic indicator for OS.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC)36 paired of RC tissues and ANNTsUp
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)106 paired of ESCC tissues and ANTTsUpNORAD upregulation was correlated with poor OS and disease-free survival in ESCC patientsTumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, UICC stage and NORAD expression were significantly associated with ESCC.NORAD expression levels and UICC stage were independent prognostic factors in ESCC.
Gastric cancer (GC)65 paired of GC tissues and ANTTs, GEO databaseUpNORAD upregulation was significantly correlated with worse OS in GC patients
40 paired of GC tissues and ANTTsUpNORAD upregulation was significantly correlated with the worse prognosis of the GC patients
36 paired of GC tissues and ANTTsUp
Colorectal cancer (CRC)80 paired of CC tissues and ANTTsDown
60 paired of CRC tissues and ANTTs. Serum samples from142 CRC patients, 136 normal subjects, and 71 patients with benign disordersUp
47 paired of CRC tissues and ANTTsUpHigher expression levels of NORAD suggested poorer prognosis in CRC patients compared to lower group
Serum samples from 32 CRC patients and 48 precancerous patients and 110 healthy controlsUp
30 paired CRC tissues and ANTTsUpNORAD higher expression levels associated with poor OS in CRC patients
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)33 paired PDAC tissues and ANTTsUpPDAC patients with higher NORAD expression had shorter OS and recurrence-free survival
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)Starbase dataUp
29 HCC tissues and their ANTTsUpNORAD upregulation correlated with shorter OS rate and higher recurrence rate in HCC patientsSex, tumor size and NORAD expression were significantly associated with OSNORAD expression was an independent indicator of OS and recurrence after surgery.
Up
Lung cancer (LC)Up
31 paired of LC tissues and ANTTsUp
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)60 paired od NSCLC tissues and ANTTsUpHigh expression levels of NORAD suggested poorer prognosis in NSCLC patients
24 paired of NSCLC tissues and ANTTsUp
80 paired of NSCLC tissues and ANTTsUp
26 paired of NSCLC tissues and ANTTsUp
50 paired of NSCLC tissues and ANTTsUp
UpHigher NORAD expression levels associated with worse prognosis in NSCLC patients
15 paired of NSCLC tissues and ANTTsUp
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)40 paired of PTC tissues ANTTsUp
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)32 paired of OSCC tissues ANTTsUpHigher expression of NORAD predicted worse prognosis in OSCC patients
Malignant melanoma (MM)62 MM tissues and 20 normal tissuesUp
Neuroblastoma (NB)38 paired of NB tissues and normal tissuesUp
40 NB tumor specimensDownLower NORAD expression correlated with poor OS and event free survival in NB patients
Glioblastoma (GBM)TCGA (168 GBM tissues and 5 normal brain tissues) GTEx (105 normal brain tissues)Up
Osteosarcoma69 paired of tumor bone tissues and ANTTsUp
30 paired of osteosarcoma tissues and ANTTsUp

Summarized results of studies which assessed expression of NORAD in clinical samples (OS: overall survival, ANTT: adjacent non-tumoral tissue).

Prognostic Role of NORAD in Malignancies

Apart from endometrial cancer in which up-regulation of NORAD determined good prognosis (), in other types of cancers, including cervical cancer (), breast cancer (), bladder cancer (), esophageal cancer (), gastric cancer (), colorectal cancer (), pancreatic cancer (), hepatocellular carcinoma (), and lung cancer (), its up-regulation was an indicator of poor survival.

Animal Studies

Endometrial cancer is among few cancer types in which NORAD exerts anti-oncogenic effects. Such effects have been verified in animal models since NORAD silencing has enhanced tumor growth in the xenograft model. On the other hand, over-expression of FUBP1-binding fragment of NORAD has attenuated tumor growth in this model (). Figure 4 illustrates the effect of lncRNA NORAD binding with FUBP1 in endometrial cancer cells.

FIGURE 4

). Accumulating evidence elucidates that epigenetic inactivation of NORAD could promote cell growth and reduce apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells. NORAD/FUBP1 interaction could inhibit FUBP1 nuclear localization, and thereby downregulating the recruitment of FUBP1 on promoters of target pro-apoptotic genes, triggering apoptosis in tumor cells ().

Apart from this study, other in vivo studies have shown the role of NORAD in enhancement of tumor progression in animal models. For instance, NORAD increases the growth of neuroblastoma tumors in animal models via miR-144-3p/HDAC8 axis (). Moreover, growth of osteosarcoma tumors in animals has been attenuated by NORAD silencing in the implanted cells (). Further studies in malignant melanoma, cervical cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer supported oncogenic effects of NORAD in xenograft models. Table 3 recapitulates the results of studies which evaluated the role of NORAD in the development of cancer in animal models.

TABLE 3

Cancer typesAnimal modelsFunction and commentRef
Endometrial cancerFemale BALB/c nude miceΔ NORAD: ↑ Tumor growth
Epithelial ovarian cancerAdult female athymic nude miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor volume
Cervical cancerAthymic BALB/c miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor volume and weight
Breast cancerFemale BALB/c miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor Growth
male BALB/c-nu/nu nude miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor Growth
Prostate cancerBALB/c-nu miceΔ NORAD: ↓ bone metastasis
BALB/C nude miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor volume and weight
Gastric cancerBALB/c nude miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor volume
Colorectal cancerMale BALB/c nude miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor Growth
Hepatocellular carcinomaMiceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor Growth
nude miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor weight
Lung cancerMale athymic nude BALBC/cΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor Growth
Non-small cell lung cancerMiceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor weight and volume and metastasis
Malignant melanomaMale BALB/c-nu/nuΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor Growth
NeuroblastomaFlank of miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor Growth
OsteosarcomaNude female BALB/c miceΔ NORAD: ↓ Tumor Growth

Outline of studies which assessed function of NORAD in animal models (Δ: knock down or deletion).

Discussion

Numerous studies have evaluated the role of NORAD in the development of cancer. With the exception of two studies in endometrial and colorectal cancer, other studies indicate the oncogenic role of this lncRNA in diverse cancer types. Several miRNAs such as miR-199a-3p, miR-608, miR−155−5p, miR-590-3p, miR-495-3p, miR-608, miR-202-5p, miR-125a-3p, miR-144-3p, miR−202−5p, and miR-30a-5p have been recognized as targets of NORAD in different cancer cell lines. In addition, NORAD has interactions with cancer-related pathways such as STAT, TGF-β, Akt/mTOR, and PI3K/AKT pathway. The role of NORAD in activation of TGF-β has been verified in different cancers, namely hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer and lung cancer. This function is implicated in the enhancement of EMT features and invasive properties of cancer cells. Therefore, in addition its role in the initiation of cancer possibly through influencing genomic stability, NORAD partakes in the progression of cancer through enhancement of EMT. In addition, NORAD has a role in the modulation of response of cancer cells to a number of chemotherapeutic drugs such as doxorubicin and cisplatin (; ).

In vivo studies in xenograft models of ovarian, cervical, breast, gastric, colorectal, liver and lung cancers as well as neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma have shown the efficacy of NORAD-targeting therapeutic options in reducing tumor burden. Therefore, this lncRNA is a putative target for treatment of cancer.

The prognostic value of NORAD has been verified in diverse cancer types such as lung, liver, pancreatic, colorectal, breast and cervical cancers where over-expression of this lncRNA was correlated with poor survival. Based on the significant difference in expression of this lncRNA between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, assessment of its expression might provide a diagnostic tool for cancer. However, the sensitivity and specificity of this marker should be assessed in diverse cancer types. Moreover, assessment of its expression in body fluid such as blood, serum and urine might help in the development of non-invasive diagnostic methods. The latter possible application of NORAD has not been assessed yet.

The data presented above indicate up-regulation of NORAD in almost all types of neoplasm. Moreover, functional studies have shown the pro-proliferative, pro-migratory, and pro-metastatic abilities of NORAD. Collectively, NORAD in an oncogenic lncRNA in most tissues and a possible target for inventions against cancer. Future investigations are required to support its application as diagnostic marker in the clinical settings.

Publisher’s Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Statements

Author contributions

MT and SG-F wrote the draft and revised it. ND, TA, BH, and AA collected the data and designed the tables and figures. All authors read and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Summary

Keywords

NORAD, lncRNA, cancer, expression, carcinogenesis

Citation

Ghafouri-Fard S, Azimi T, Hussen BM, Abak A, Taheri M and Dilmaghani NA (2021) Non-coding RNA Activated by DNA Damage: Review of Its Roles in the Carcinogenesis. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 9:714787. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714787

Received

25 May 2021

Accepted

19 July 2021

Published

13 August 2021

Volume

9 - 2021

Edited by

Aamir Ahmad, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States

Reviewed by

Apollonia Tullo, Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Italy; Macrina Beatriz Silva Cázares, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Mohammad Taheri, Nader Akbari Dilmaghani,

This article was submitted to Molecular and Cellular Oncology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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