Abstract:

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNA) widely involve in physical and pathological processes of human body. Among them, the HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is transcribed by HOXC gene but mainly regulates the HOXD gene. The HOTAIR can mediate the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and histone demethylase complex ［LSDl (lysine specific demethylase 1)/CoREST (Co-repressor of REl-silencing transcription factor)/REST］ to their target genes, and leads to histone H3 tri-methylated at lysine27 (H3K27me3) and histone H3 dimethylated at Lysine4 (H3K4me2). This causes chromosome state reprogramming and chromosome closing, and consequently resulting in target gene silencing. HOTAIR is relevant to the oncogenesis, progression, recurrence and metastasis of various human cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and colorectal cancer. It is a potential prediction index and new therapeutic target for related cancers. This paper discusses possible molecular mechanisms and signal pathways of HOTAIR and summarizes the latest research developments of the relationship between HOTAIR and forementioned cancers.

Key words: long non-coding RNA, HOX transcription antisense RNA, tumor