The growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5): a pivotal tumor suppressor long noncoding RNA in human cancers

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which refer to a group of RNAs with length more than 200 nucleotides and limited protein-coding potential, play a widespread role in regulating biological processes, such as cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. LncRNAs are dysregulated in multiple cancers, playing an either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive role. LncRNA GAS5 is a recently identified tumor suppressor involved in several cancers, like breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. The low-expression pattern confers tumor cells elevated capacity of proliferation and predicts poorer prognosis. Existing studies mirror that lncRNA GAS5 promises to be a novel diagnostic biomarker, therapy target, as well as prognostic biomarker. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge about this vital lncRNA, from its discovery, characteristics, and biological function to molecular mechanism in various neoplasms.