Non-coding RNAs in Exosomes: New Players in Cancer Biology

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Silva, M (Author) Other; Melo, SA (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Current Genomics

Vol. 16

Pages: 295-303

ISSN: 1389-2029

Publisher: Bentham Science

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 51 Citations

Scopus - 52 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-DZE

DOI: 10.2174/1389202916666150707154719

Abstract (EN): Exosomes are lipid bilayer extracellular vesicles (EVs) of 50-150nm in size, which contain nucleic acids (mRNA, ncRNAs and DNA), proteins and lipids. They are secreted by all cells and circulate in all body fluids. Exosomes are key mediators of several processes in cancer that mediate tumor progression and metastasis. These nano-vesicles, when secreted from cancer cells, are enriched in non-coding RNAs (e.g. microRNAs) complexed with the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC), that mediate an efficient and rapid silencing of mRNAs at the recipient cell, reprogramming their transcriptome. MicroRNAs in circulation encapsulated in exosomes are protected from degradation by a lipid bilayer and might serve as potential non-invasive diagnostic and screening tools to detect early stage cancer, to facilitate treatment options and possible help in curative surgical therapy decisions. Additionally, engineered exosomes can be used as therapy vehicles for targeted delivery of RNAi molecules, escaping the immune system detection.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9