Regulation of Gene Expression by RNA Processing Steps in Cancers

In higher eukaryotes, a vast variety of RNAs is transcribed from genomic DNAs. The transcribed RNAs are subjected to RNA processing steps, such as splicing, capping, polyadenylation, editing and modification in order to produce mRNAs and non-coding RNAs. Splicing includes constitutive and alternative splicing. Interestingly, it has been shown that about 95% of human genes undergo alternative splicing. There are accumulating lines of evidence that the defects in RNA processing steps often result in diseases in human. However, the whole picture of this regulation and molecular mechanisms for the disease onset remain to be elucidated.

We invite researchers working on RNA processing in gene expression in higher eukaryotes to submit their studies. The theme is not restricted to basic research for molecular mechanism RNA regulation; clinical and translational approaches toward the therapies for cancers caused by mis-regulation in RNA processing are also very welcome. Overall, the goal of this Research Topic is to explore gene expression mechanisms through RNA processing in cancers as well as the development of possible therapies for cancers by regulating RN processing steps.

We accept original research reports, reviews/mini-reviews, perspectives/opinions and methodology articles on any of the following topics:

 Mis-regulation of RNA splicing in cancers
 Mutations in non-coding RNAs and/or RNA processing factors in cancers
 Therapeutic approaches for cancers by modulating RNA processing pathways


Please note that manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this Research Topic.