Open AccessPrognostic Alternative Splicing Signatures in Esophageal Carcinoma
Author(s) -
Zodwa Dlamini,
Rodney Hull,
Sikhumbuzo Z. Mbatha,
Mohammed Alaouna,
YouLin Qiao,
Herbert Yu,
Aristotelis Chatziioannou
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cancer management and research
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.024
H-Index - 40
ISSN - 1179-1322
DOI - 10.2147/cmar.s305464
Subject(s) - alternative splicing , esophageal cancer , rna splicing , gene , cancer research , splice , gene isoform , biology , esophageal squamous cell carcinoma , adenocarcinoma , computational biology , cancer , bioinformatics , genetics , rna
Alternative splicing (AS) is a method of increasing the number of proteins that the genome is capable of coding for, by altering the pre-mRNA during its maturation. This process provides the ability of a broad range of proteins to arise from a single gene. AS events are known to occur in up to 94% of human genes. Cumulative data have shown that aberrant AS functionality is a major factor in human diseases. This review focuses on the contribution made by aberrant AS functionality in the development and progression of esophageal cancer. The changes in the pattern of expression of alternately spliced isoforms in esophageal cancer can be used as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. Additionally, these can be used as targets for the development of new treatments for esophageal cancer.