Substantial unannotated noncoding transcripts in tumors may transcriptionally regulate cancer-related genes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

RNA-seq and scRNA-seq identify unannotated transcripts across cell types; whether they are coding or noncoding, normal or erroneous, and functional or junk remains largely uncharacterized. Unannotated noncoding transcripts (UNTs) are of special interest because ncRNAs can function by directly interacting with other molecules. Previous studies reported several functional UNTs in tumors, but none systematically examined their extent and mechanisms.

Results

We first performed a pan-cancer analysis, including cell lines and tissues of four tumors, to identify unannotated genes and transcripts (including UNTs). Many unannotated genes and transcripts show significant differential expression. We then predicted potential DNA-binding domains (DBDs) within UNTs and their DN

SUBMITTER: He S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12924361 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature