Characterization of novel ACE2 mRNA transcripts: The potential role of alternative splicing in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene encodes a type I transmembrane protein, which is homologous to angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and belongs to the angiotensin-converting enzyme family of dipeptidyl carboxypeptidases. As highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, ACE2 is not only crucial for the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), but also displays great affinity with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, representing the major receptor of the virus. Given the significance of ACE2 in COVID-19, especially among cancer patients, the present study aims to explore the transcriptional landscape of ACE2 in human cancer and non-cancerous cell lines through the design and implementation of a custom targeted long-read sequencing approach.

Kallikrein-related peptidases: mechanistic understanding for potential therapeutic targeting in cancer.

Introduction: Human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) represent a subgroup of 15 serine endopeptidases involved in various physiological processes and pathologies, including cancer.

Areas Covered: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the KLK family, highlighting their genomic structure, expression profiles and substrate specificity. We explore the role of KLKs in tumorigenesis, emphasizing their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

Small non-coding RNAs as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers of gynecological cancers: an update.

Introduction: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) comprise a heterogeneous cluster of RNA molecules. Emerging evidence suggests their involvement in various aspects of tumorigenesis, particularly in gynecological malignancies. Notably, ncRNAs have been implicated as mediators within tumor signaling pathways, exerting their influence through interactions with RNA or proteins.

New insights into the dynamics of m6A epitranscriptome: hybrid-seq identifies novel mRNAs of the m6A writers METTL3/14.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a prevalent mRNA modification, is dynamically regulated by methyltransferases, including METTL3 and METTL14. In the current study, we employed a custom hybrid-seq method to identify novel / transcripts, explore their protein-coding capacities and predict the putative role of the METTL isoforms. Demultiplexing of the hybrid-seq barcoded datasets unraveled the expression patterns of the newly identified mRNAs in major malignancies as well as in non-malignant cells, providing a deeper understanding of the methylation pathways.

Beyond the Chromosome: Recent Developments in Decoding the Significance of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA (eccDNA) in Human Malignancies.

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is a form of a circular double-stranded DNA that exists independently of conventional chromosomes. eccDNA exhibits a broad and random distribution across eukaryotic cells and has been associated with tumor-related properties due to its ability to harbor the complete gene information of oncogenes. The complex and multifaceted mechanisms underlying eccDNA formation include pathways such as DNA damage repair, breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) mechanisms, chromothripsis, and cell apoptosis.