Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Non-Coding RNAs Associated with Transmissible Cancers in Tasmanian Devil, Domestic Dog and Bivalves

Currently there are nine known examples of transmissible cancers in nature. They have been observed in domestic dog, Tasmanian devil, and six bivalve species. These tumours can overcome host immune defences and spread to other members of the same species. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are known to play roles in tumorigenesis and immune system evasion. Despite their potential importance in transmissible cancers, there have been no studies on ncRNA function in this context to date. Here, we present possible applications of the CRISPR/Cas system to study the RNA biology of transmissible cancers. Specifically, we explore how ncRNAs may play a role in the immortality and immune evasion ability of these tumours.

Automated summary

There are currently nine known examples of transmissible cancers in nature, observed in domestic dog, Tasmanian devil, and six bivalve species. Despite the recognized importance of ncRNAs in these tumours, there have been no studies on their role in this context. The use of CRISPR/Cas system is proposed for studying the RNA biology of transmissible cancers and exploring the role of ncRNAs in the immortality and immune evasion ability of these tumours.