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Current Gene Therapy

Author(s): Bin Zheng, QingYun Mai*, JinXing Jiang and QinQin Zhou

DOI: 10.2174/1566523219666190708111404

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The Therapeutic Potential of Small Activating RNAs for Colorectal Carcinoma

Page: [140 - 146] Pages: 7

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Small double-strand RNAs have been recognized as master regulators of gene expression. In contrast to the evolutionary conserved RNA interference machinery, which degrades or inhibits the translation of target mRNAs, small activating RNA (saRNA) activates the specific gene in a target dependent manner through a similar mechanism as RNAi. Recently, saRNA mediated expression regulation of specific genes has been extensively studied in cancer researches. Of particular interest is the application of the RNA mediated gene activation within colorectal cancer (CRC) development, due to the high incidence of the CRC. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of saRNA mediated genetic activation and its underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we highlight the advantages of the utilization of saRNAs induced gene expression as an investigating tool in colorectal cancer research. Finally, the possibility and the challenge of the saRNA application as a potential therapy for colorectal cancer are addressed.

Keywords: Small non-coding RNAs, small activating RNA, colorectal cancer, therapeutic agent, siRNA, microRNA.

Graphical Abstract

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