Because liver cancer has many types, strong inheritance, and easy recurrence, identifying biomarkers that can predict disease progression is a key goal in fighting liver cancer.
Recently, researchers have developed a method to identify the most common form of liver cancer-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on splicing biomarkers. They believe that this method can also be used for other types of cancer. This study highlights how RNA splicing variants contribute to cancer, and points out that these variants may become potential biomarkers for cancer progression.
Splicing refers to a process in which RNA information copied from information encoded in a gene is edited before it can be used to make a specific protein map. A gene can produce multiple RNA messages, and each message produces a different protein variant or “isomer.” Many diseases are related to errors or variations in RNA splicing methods. Errors or changes in splicing can result in proteins with different or abnormal functions.
Recent research has identified splicing irregularities in liver cancer cells. Krainer’s team has developed a method that can comprehensively analyze all RNA information produced by a given gene. The team tested their methods of detecting splice variants in HCC by analyzing RNA information from HCC cells collected from hundreds of patients.
They found that the specific splicing isoform of the AFMID gene is associated with the patient’s low survival. These variants result in cells making truncated versions of the AFMID protein. These unusual proteins are associated with mutations in TP53 and ARID1A tumor suppressor genes in adult liver cancer cells.
The researchers hypothesized that these mutations are related to the low level of a molecule called NAD +, which is involved in repairing damaged DNA. Repairing AFMID splicing may lead to increased production of NAD + and increased DNA repair. If we can do this, AFMID stitching can become a therapeutic target and a source of new drugs for liver cancer. Preliminary experiments show that the team’s research is on the right track, and we expect better data results to benefit liver cancer patients.
