Long non‐coding RNA s as an epigenetic regulator in human cancers

Recent studies have described the important multiple roles of long non‐coding RNA s (lnc RNA s) during oncogenic transformation. Because the coding genome accounts for a small amount of total DNA , and many mutations leading to cancer occur in the non‐coding genome, it is plausible that the dysregulation of such non‐coding transcribes might also affect tumor phenotypes. Indeed, to date, lnc RNA s have been reported to affect diverse biological processes through the regulation of mRNA stability, RNA splicing, chromatin structure, and mi RNA ‐mediated gene regulation by acting as mi RNA sponges. Furthermore, accumulating studies have described the roles of lnc RNA s in tumorigenesis; however, the precise mechanisms of many lnc RNA s are still under investigation. Here, we discuss recently reported mechanistic insights into how lnc RNA s regulate gene expression and contribute to tumorigenesis through interactions with other regulatory molecules. We especially highlight the role of taurine upregulated gene 1, which was recently reported to have biological functions related to gene regulation, and discuss the future clinical implications of lnc RNA s in cancer treatments.