Evaluation of Long Noncoding RNA-NORAD in Breast Tumor Tissues of Iranian Women

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women worldwide. Identification of novel molecular markers that are involved in tumor development has allowed cancer diagnosis, targeted therapy and monitoring the response to cancer treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of various cellular processes, including chromosome transcription and remodeling. This study aimed to investigate the expression and significance of long noncoding RNA NORAD (Non-Coding RNA Activated by DNA Damage) (lncRNA-NORAD) in breast cancer.

Breast cancer samples were obtained from Iran National Tumor bank. Total RNA was extracted from each sample and then treated with DNase. Q-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of lncRNA-NORAD in breast cancer and adjacent noncancerous tissues as respective controls.

Analysis of Real Time-PCR data showed that NORAD gene expression increased significantly in the breast tumor tissues compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues (P < 0.05).

Since the expression of lncRNA-NORAD gene is increased in breast tumor tissues compared to the normal tissue adjacent to the tumor, this gene can be considered as a suitable biomarker for breast cancer.