Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) refer to a class of
RNA molecules that are more than 200
nucleotides in length and usually lack
protein-coding capacity. LncRNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression as well as many aspects of normal physiological processes. Dysregulations of
lncRNA expressions and functions are considered to be critically involved in the development and progression of many diseases especially
cancer. The
lncRNA research in the field of
cancer biology over the past decade reveals that a large number of lncRNAs are dysregulated in various types of
cancer and that dysregulated lncRNAs may play important roles in
cancer initiation,
metastasis and therapeutic responses.
Metal carcinogens and other common
environmental carcinogens such as
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fine particular matters, cigarette
smoke, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation are important
cancer etiology factors. However, the mechanisms of how
metal carcinogens and other common environmental
carcinogen exposures initiate
cancer and promote
cancer progression remain largely unknown. Accumulating evidence show that exposure to
metal carcinogens and other common
environmental carcinogens dysregulate
lncRNA expression in various model systems, which may offer novel mechanistic insights for environmental
carcinogenesis. This review will first provide a brief introduction about
lncRNA biology and the mechanisms of
lncRNA functions, followed by summarizing and discussing recent studies about
lncRNA dysregulation by
metal carcinogen and other common environment
carcinogen exposures and the potential roles of dysregulated lncRNAs in environmental
carcinogenesis. A perspective for future studies in this emerging and important field is also presented.