Non-Genomic Control of Dynamic MYCN Gene Expression in Liver Cancer

• Published in: Frontiers in oncology Vol. 10; p. 618515
• Main Authors: Qin, Xian-Yang, Gailhouste, Luc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 16-04-2021
• Subjects: inflammation; lipid desaturation; liver cancer; microenvironment; MYCN; Oncology; plasticity; microenvironment; MYCN; inflammation; lipid desaturation; miRNA; plasticity; liver cancer; endoplasmic reticulum stress
• ISSN: 2234-943X; 2234-943X
• DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.618515

Upregulated
gene expression is restricted to specialized cell populations such as EpCAM
cancer stem cells in liver cancer, regardless of DNA amplification and mutation. Here, we reviewed the role of
gene expression in liver homeostasis, regeneration, and tumorigenesis, and discussed the potential non-genomic mechanisms involved in controlling
gene expression in liver cancer, with a focus on inflammation-mediated signal transduction and microRNA-associated post-transcriptional regulation. We concluded that dynamic
gene expression is an integrated consequence of multiple signals in the tumor microenvironment, including tumor growth-promoting signals, lipid desaturation-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress adaptation signals, and tumor suppressive miRNAs, making it a potential predictive biomarker of tumor stemness and plasticity. Therefore, understanding and tracing the dynamic changes and functions of
gene expression will shed light on the origin of liver tumorigenesis at the cellular level and the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for liver cancer treatment.