Extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are a type of RNA molecules that present in various biological fluids. exRNAs are heterogenous populations including small (e.g., miRNA) and long non-coding RNAs and coding RNAs (e.g., mRNA). They can exist in a free form or associate with carriers range from lipo- and ribo-proteins to extracellular vesicles such as exosomes in the extracellular fluids. exRNAs participate in cell-to-cell communication to regulate a broad array of physiological and pathological processes. exRNAs have been widely studied as a biomarker for cancer and other diseases. Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University discuss the sorts of exRNAs with potential carriers as well as their roles in cancer.
Extracellular RNA – Emerging roles in cancer cell communication and biomarkers
Author links open overlay panel Kim S, Jeon OH, Jeon YJ. (2020) Extracellular RNA: Emerging roles in cancer cell communication and biomarkers. Cancer Letters [online ahead of print]. [abstract]