The Role of Noncoding RNAs in Pituitary Adenoma

Abstract

Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are common cranial tumors that affect the quality of life in patients. Early detection of PA is beneficial for avoiding clinical complications of this disease and increasing the quality of life. Noncoding RNAs, including long noncoding RNA, miRNA and circRNA, regulate protein expression, mostly by inhibiting the translation process. Studies have shown that dysregulation of noncoding RNAs is associated with PA. Hence understanding the expression pattern of noncoding RNAs can be considered a promising method for developing biomarkers. This article reviews data on the expression pattern of dysregulated noncoding RNAs involved in PA. Possible molecular mechanisms by which the dysregulated noncoding RNA could possibly induce PA are also described.

Lay abstract

Pituitary adenomas (PA) are benign, slow-growing tumors of the pituitary gland. The sooner the tumor is diagnosed, the sooner can the patient be treated with medication. The early detection of this disease can reduce the need for surgery to remove the tumor. Noncoding RNAs are small molecules that regulate the functions and behavior of different cells. When the intracellular or extracellular concentration of these small molecules is altered, the functions and behavior of cells and tissues can be affected and changed. Quantifying and analyzing these molecules is a promising tool for the early detection of different diseases, including PA. This article reviews alterations in these small molecules and the relationship between these alterations and the incidence of PA.

Graphical abstract

Keywords::

• biotechnology
• noncoding RNAs
• pituitary neoplasms
• tumor biomarker

Author contributions

F Bahreini drafted the article; P Jabbari, W Gossing, F Aziziyan and M Frohme provided critical revision for important intellectual content of the article; N Rezaei supervised the process and provided final critical revision of the content of the article. All the authors have made substantial contribution to conception and design of the manuscript and have given the final approval of the version to be published and they take responsibility for appropriate portions of the content. All the authors agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work and ensure that any question related to the accuracy and/or integrity of any part of the work are investigated and resolved appropriately.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the support of Tarbiat Modares University and Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.