Micropeptides in head and neck cancer

The current opinion in human genome research states that there are ~18000 genes that are capable of producing protein-coding RNAs. However, with new insights and methods of analysis, such as high-throughput ribosome-associated RNAs profiling (Riboseq), there is evidence that there are more protein-coding sequences than previously thought. These sequences are known as non-canonical ORFs (open-reading frames) and are found in genes that have previously been categorized as introns, or the noncoding regions of the RNA transcript. These noncanonical ORFs can sometimes be stably translated as micropeptides. Head and neck cancer refers to squamous cell carcinoma that affects the tissues of the upper respiratory tract, including the mouth, throat, and nose. This type of cancer is often treated with radiochemotherapy methods, which can have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for patients. After treating tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells (SCC) with ionizing radiation and producing a radioresistant cell line (RTR), Riboseq was performed on these cell lines and it was found that certain micropeptides are upregulated or downregulated in either cell line, indicating that they may be important for cancerous cell survival. These peptides are therefore potentially good targets for cancer treatment therapy, and it is possible that they may be utilized alongside radiochemotherapy as a way to decrease the side-effects of radiation exposure in patients.