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  • Perspective   
  • cmb 71: 414, Vol 71(6)
  • DOI: 10.4172/1165-158X.1000414

Non-coding RNAs: Regulators, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Targets

Minh Tran*
Department of Molecular Genomics Saigon Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam
*Corresponding Author: Minh Tran, Department of Molecular Genomics Saigon Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam, Email: m.tran@sample.vn

Received: 03-Nov-2025 / Manuscript No. cmb-25-178342 / Editor assigned: 05-Nov-2025 / PreQC No. cmb-25-178342 / Reviewed: 19-Nov-2025 / QC No. cmb-25-178342 / Revised: 24-Nov-2025 / Manuscript No. cmb-25-178342 / Published Date: 01-Dec-2025 DOI: 10.4172/1165-158X.1000414

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are pivotal regulators of gene expression in health and disease. This compilation explores the multifaceted roles of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cellular processes and pathogenesis, particularly in cancer and neurological disorders. Studies highlight their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, with investigations into specific ncRNAs such as LINC01234, circHIPK3, miR-21, HOTAIR, CDR1as, and MALAT1. The immunomodulatory functions of exosomal ncRNAs and the protective role of miR-1 in cardiac hypertrophy are also discussed. Emerging ncRNA classes and technological advancements are shaping the future of ncRNA research and therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: Non-coding RNAs; microRNAs; long non-coding RNAs; circular RNAs; gene expression regulation; disease pathogenesis; diagnostic biomarkers; therapeutic targets; cancer; neurological disorders

Introduction

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are fundamental regulators of gene expression, orchestrating processes at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic levels. Recent research has significantly advanced our understanding of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cellular functions and disease development, highlighting their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, particularly in oncology and neurology [1].

A novel lncRNA, designated LINC01234, has been identified as a critical regulator of neuronal differentiation. Through experimental manipulations such as knockdown and overexpression, its essential role in the timely maturation of neural progenitor cells into neurons has been established, mediated by interactions with specific transcription factors. Dysregulation of LINC01234 is linked to neurodevelopmental abnormalities, suggesting its therapeutic promise for neurological disorders [2].

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are gaining recognition for their diverse regulatory roles, including functioning as miRNA sponges and protein scaffolds. A newly identified circRNA, circHIPK3, has been shown to be a key modulator of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation. It competitively binds to miR-124, thereby alleviating the repression of target genes involved in cell cycle control, underscoring its oncogenic activity in HCC and its potential as a diagnostic marker [3].

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potent regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, influencing nearly all cellular processes. The oncomiR miR-21 is a significant factor in the progression of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), with elevated levels contributing to tumor aggressiveness by targeting tumor suppressor genes and promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Targeting miR-21 presents a promising therapeutic avenue for GBM patients [4].

The intricate relationship between lncRNAs and chromatin remodeling complexes is vital for genomic stability and gene expression regulation. This research investigates the interaction of the lncRNA HOTAIR with the PRC2 complex in human cancer cells, demonstrating HOTAIR's role in guiding PRC2 to specific genomic sites, leading to aberrant gene silencing and tumorigenesis. Comprehending these interactions is crucial for the development of targeted cancer therapies [5].

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, are significant mediators of intercellular communication, carrying a payload of ncRNAs. This study reveals that ncRNAs within exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can modulate the immune response. Specifically, exosomal lncRNAs influence T-cell activation and cytokine production, emphasizing the immunomodulatory capacity of MSC-derived EVs and their ncRNA cargo [6].

The epigenetic landscape of cancer is heavily influenced by non-coding RNAs. This work focuses on the role of circular RNA CDR1as (also known as ciRS-7) in governing gene expression networks critical for cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. CDR1as functions as a sponge for multiple miRNAs, including miR-7, thereby affecting key pathways that sustain CSC maintenance and chemoresistance, positioning CDR1as as a potential therapeutic target for overcoming treatment resistance in cancer [7].

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) possess diverse functions in regulating RNA processing and stability. This paper explores the role of MALAT1, a lncRNA implicated in various cancers, in controlling alternative splicing. Detailed molecular analyses demonstrate MALAT1's physical association with splicing factors, influencing splice site selection and consequently altering protein isoforms, which contributes to tumor progression and offers a novel mechanism for lncRNA-mediated cellular phenotype modulation [8].

MicroRNAs are essential regulators of cellular homeostasis and are frequently implicated in cardiovascular diseases. This study examines the function of miR-1, a cardiac-specific miRNA, in cardiac hypertrophy. Its suppression leads to increased expression of target genes involved in cardiac muscle function and remodeling, contributing to hypertrophic phenotypes. Thus, miR-1 acts as a protective factor against cardiac hypertrophy, suggesting its modulation as a potential therapeutic strategy [9].

The field of non-coding RNA research is rapidly evolving, with the continuous discovery of novel ncRNA classes and functions. This review offers an updated perspective on emerging ncRNAs, such as piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), and their evolving roles in development, disease, and genome regulation. It also discusses technological advancements facilitating their study and outlines challenges and future directions, emphasizing the potential for innovative therapeutic interventions [10].

 

Description

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are essential regulators of gene expression, functioning through diverse mechanisms including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic control. This review synthesizes recent advancements in understanding the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cellular processes and disease pathogenesis, highlighting their promise as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, particularly in cancer and neurological disorders. The integration of ncRNA research with genomics and transcriptomics is revealing complex regulatory networks and paving the way for personalized medicine [1].

The study investigated the function of a novel lncRNA, LINC01234, in regulating neuronal differentiation. Experimental evidence from knockdown and overexpression studies demonstrated that LINC01234 is crucial for the timely progression of neural progenitor cells into mature neurons through its interaction with specific transcription factors. The dysregulation of this lncRNA is implicated in neurodevelopmental defects, positioning LINC01234 as a potential therapeutic target for neurological conditions [2].

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their regulatory roles, acting as miRNA sponges or protein scaffolds. This research identified a new circRNA, circHIPK3, as a critical regulator of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation. It was shown that circHIPK3 competitively binds to miR-124, thereby derepressing its target genes involved in cell cycle progression. This finding highlights the oncogenic potential of circHIPK3 in HCC and suggests its utility as a diagnostic marker [3].

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potent regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, impacting nearly all cellular processes. This paper examines the role of miR-21, a well-established oncomiR, in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Evidence indicates that elevated miR-21 levels contribute to GBM aggressiveness by targeting tumor suppressor genes and promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Targeting miR-21 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for GBM patients [4].

The intricate interplay between lncRNAs and chromatin remodeling complexes is fundamental for maintaining genomic stability and regulating gene expression. This study explored the interaction between the well-characterized lncRNA HOTAIR and the PRC2 complex in human cancer cells. The findings reveal how HOTAIR guides PRC2 to specific genomic loci, leading to aberrant gene silencing and promoting tumorigenesis. Understanding these interactions is vital for developing targeted cancer therapies [5].

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as critical mediators of intercellular communication, carrying a cargo of biomolecules including ncRNAs. This research demonstrated that ncRNAs encapsulated within exosomes secreted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can modulate the immune response. Specifically, exosomal lncRNAs were shown to influence T-cell activation and cytokine production, underscoring the immunomodulatory potential of MSC-derived EVs and their ncRNA content [6].

The epigenetic landscape of cancer is profoundly shaped by non-coding RNAs. This study focused on the role of circular RNA CDR1as (also known as ciRS-7) in regulating gene expression networks associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. It was discovered that CDR1as acts as a sponge for multiple miRNAs, including miR-7, thereby affecting key pathways that drive CSC maintenance and chemoresistance. This implicates CDR1as as a potential therapeutic target for overcoming treatment resistance in cancer [7].

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exhibit multifaceted roles in regulating RNA processing and stability. This paper investigated the function of MALAT1, a lncRNA implicated in various cancers, in controlling alternative splicing. Through detailed molecular analyses, it was demonstrated that MALAT1 physically interacts with splicing factors to influence the selection of splice sites, thereby altering the protein isoforms produced and contributing to tumor progression. This highlights a novel mechanism by which lncRNAs can impact cellular phenotype [8].

MicroRNAs are critical regulators of cellular homeostasis and are frequently dysregulated in cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the role of miR-1, a cardiac-specific miRNA, in cardiac hypertrophy. It was shown that suppression of miR-1 leads to increased expression of its target genes involved in cardiac muscle function and remodeling, contributing to hypertrophic phenotypes. Therefore, miR-1 serves as a protective factor against cardiac hypertrophy, and its modulation could be a therapeutic strategy [9].

The field of non-coding RNA research is rapidly expanding, with new classes and functions being discovered regularly. This review provides an updated overview of emerging ncRNA types, such as piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), and their evolving roles in development, disease, and genome regulation. The authors discuss technological advancements enabling their study and the challenges and future directions in the field, emphasizing the potential for novel therapeutic interventions [10].

 

Conclusion

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, are crucial regulators of gene expression with significant roles in cellular processes and disease pathogenesis, especially in cancer and neurological disorders. Research has identified specific ncRNAs like LINC01234 involved in neuronal differentiation, circHIPK3 in HCC progression, miR-21 in glioblastoma aggressiveness, HOTAIR in cancer via PRC2 recruitment, CDR1as in cancer stem cell properties, and MALAT1 in alternative splicing. Other studies highlight exosomal ncRNAs from MSCs modulating immune responses and miR-1 as a protective factor in cardiac hypertrophy. Emerging ncRNA classes like piRNAs and snoRNAs are also gaining attention for their roles in development and disease. These findings underscore the potential of ncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, driving advancements in personalized medicine.

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Citation: Tran M (2025) Non-coding RNAs: Regulators, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Targets. cmb 71: 414. DOI: 10.4172/1165-158X.1000414

Copyright: © 2025 Minh Tran This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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