Regulation mechanism and pathogenic role of lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) in human diseases

Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) gene identified as a recurrent breakpoint of Burkitt’s lymphomas. Human PVT1 gene is located on region 8q24.21, a well-known cancer risk region, and encodes at least 26 linear ncRNA isoforms and 26 circular RNA isoforms, as well as 6 microRNAs. Several PVT1 functioning models have been reported recently such as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) activity and regulating protein stability of oncogenes, especially MYC oncogene. The promoter of PVT1 gene is a boundary element of tumor-suppressor DNA. CircPVT1 derived from PVT1 gene is also a critical non-coding oncogenic RNA. Although substantial advancements have been made in understanding the roles of PVT1 in cancer recently, the detailed mechanisms underlying its functions remain unclear. Herein, we summarize the recent progressions on the mechanisms underlying PVT1 regulated gene expression at different levels. We also discuss the interaction between lncRNA and protein, RNA and DNA, as well as the potential cancer therapy strategy by targeting these networks.