Beyond Mirnas: Role of Other Noncoding Rnas in Cancer

Noncoding RNAs are by definition RNA molecules with a short open reading frame that are not translated into proteins. With hundreds of publications yearly, these new players have emerged as master regulators of multiple biological processes. One specific subset of ncRNAs, namely, microRNAs, received prevalent attention over the past decade, yet it forms only the tip of the iceberg. The noncoding RNA world is constantly expanding, whether it is by exploring novel classes of ncRNAs or by gaining further insight into their function. Noncoding RNAs are split in two main classes according to their size: short ncRNAs and long ncRNAs, each class encompassing various subclasses. In this chapter we focus on the most important subclasses of ncRNAs (e.g., piRNAs, snoRNAs, lincRNAs, T-UCRs), highlighting the illustrative examples. Furthermore, we discuss their potential involvement in therapy and diagnostics and what the future might reserve for these key regulators.