In this study, the TaqMan Non-coding RNA Assays helped to uncover regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs in breast cancer. Researchers used a panel of these TaqMan assays to target and quantify expression levels of lincRNAs in a specific region of the genome. This new set of genomic assays, along with other technologies, showed that the regulatory function of lincRNAs in this region becomes impaired during breast cancer progression. Further, expression levels of the lincRNA HOTAIR significantly increased in primary breast tumors and during metastases. Combining this data with results of other experiments in the study, the researchers reported that high levels of HOTAIR in breast cancer tumors contribute to the epigenetic silencing of genes that suppress metastasis, providing a molecular explanation for the spread of breast cancer.

"Quantitative PCR tools, like the TaqMan Non-coding RNA Assays, are helping scientists to correlate the activity of specific genomic regions with characteristics of complex diseases like cancer," said Sam Raha, Vice President and General Manager, Genomic Assays, Life Technologies. "The high accuracy and unrivaled sensitivity of our growing line of TaqMan RNA analysis assays continue to advance science that reveals genomic clues about cell functions and disease processes."

SOURCE Life Technologies Corporation