Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in various epigenetic and post-transcriptional events in the cell, thereby significantly influencing cellular processes including gene expression, development and diseases such as cancer. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of ligand-regulated transcription factors that typically regulate transcription of genes involved in a broad spectrum of cellular processes, immune responses and in many diseases including cancer. Owing to their many overlapping roles as modulators of gene expression, the paths traversed by lncRNA and NR-mediated signaling often cross each other; these lncRNA-NR cross-talks are being increasingly recognized as important players in many cellular processes and diseases such as cancer. Here, we review the individual roles of lncRNAs and NRs, especially growth factor modulated receptors such as androgen receptors (ARs), in various types of cancers and how the cross-talks between lncRNAs and NRs are involved in cancer progression and metastasis. We discuss the challenges involved in characterizing lncRNA-NR associations and how to overcome them. Furthering our understanding of the mechanisms of lncRNA-NR associations is crucial to realizing their potential as prognostic features, diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer biology.
长链非编码RNA（lncRNA）在细胞内多种表观遗传及转录后调控事件中发挥关键作用，显著影响包括基因表达、发育进程及癌症等疾病在内的细胞活动。核受体（NR）是一类配体调控的转录因子家族，通常调控涉及广泛细胞过程、免疫反应及包括癌症在内的多种疾病相关基因的转录。由于二者在基因表达调控中具有诸多重叠功能，lncRNA与核受体介导的信号通路常产生交汇；这些lncRNA-核受体的交互作用正日益被视为多种细胞过程及癌症等疾病中的重要调控机制。本文系统综述了lncRNA与核受体（特别是雄激素受体等生长因子调控受体）在不同类型癌症中的独立作用，并深入探讨二者间的交互作用如何参与癌症进展与转移过程。同时分析了lncRNA-核受体关联研究面临的技术挑战及其应对策略。深化对lncRNA-核受体作用机制的理解，对于实现其作为癌症生物学预后特征、诊断标志物及治疗靶点的潜在价值至关重要。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家