Chromogenic in situ hybridization reveals specific expression pattern of long non-coding RNA DRAIC in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimen - Research article

Sep 24, 2026

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) regulates gene expression in normal and cancer cells. A tumor-suppressive lncRNA, DRAIC, has been linked to dysregulation across malignancies, yet its expression pattern in tissues remains unclear. This study applied chromogenic in situ hybridization using RNAscope to FFPE specimens, mapping DRAIC localization and tissue-level expression across normal and tumor samples.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

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Introduction

Background on non-coding RNA and lncRNAs

Subcellular localization and functional mechanisms

Study rationale for DRAIC expression

Non-coding RNA Research 9 (2024) 76–83 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Non-coding RNA Research journal [homepage:](homepage: www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/non-coding-rna-research)[ www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/non-coding-rna-research](homepage: www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/non-coding-rna-research) | Original Research Article
Chromogenic in situ hybridization reveals specific expression pattern of long non-coding RNA DRAIC in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimen | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Kouhei Sakuraia, *, Seiji Yamada b, **, Rika Itoc, Mako Ochiai c, Tatsuya Ando a, Yasuhiro Sakai a, Taku Katoa, Hiroyasu Itoa
a Department of Joint Research Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan b Department of Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan
c Faculty of Medical Technology, School of Medical Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan | | | | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | | Keywords:
Long non-coding RNA
DRAIC
Chromogenic in situ hybridization RNAscope
Tissue microarray Neuroendocrine differentiation | | Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression in normal and cancer cells. We previously discovered a novel tumor-suppressive lncRNA, DRAIC, in prostate cancer cells. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that DRAIC is dysregulated in various malignancies and exhibits a tumorsuppressive or pro-oncogenic function. However, details regarding its expression pattern in normal and cancerous tissues remain largely unknown. In this study, we performed chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) using RNAscope technology to assess DRAIC expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. In the neuroendocrine-differentiated cancer cell line VMRC-LCD, CISH revealed a diffuse localization of DRAIC in the cytoplasm as well as specific accumulation in the nuclear compartment. DRAIC expression was comprehensively analyzed using tissue microarrays containing 89 normal and 155 tumor tissue samples. DRAIC was weakly expressed in normal epithelial cells of the colon, bronchiole, kidney, prostate, and testis. Conversely, DRAIC was moderately to highly expressed in some cancer tissues, including prostate adenocarcinoma, invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus, lung adenocarcinoma, and small cell lung carcinoma. While DRAIC knockdown did not affect VMRC-LCD cellular viability and invasive ability, gene expression related to the neuroendocrine and cancer-related pathways was altered. Our expression analysis revealed the specific expression pattern of DRAIC in normal and cancerous FFPE tissues. The results presented here may lead to the elucidation of additional novel functions of DRAIC. | | 1. Introduction Recent advances in transcriptomic technology have revealed that the vast majority of the human genome is transcribed to produce non-coding RNA, which is not translated into proteins [1]. Along with well-characterized conventional non-coding RNAs such as tRNA andrRNA, various other types of non-coding RNAs are intracellularly expressed. Among these, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides in length with no open reading frame. While the total number of lncRNA genes remains unclear, it has been estimated that the number exceeds 100,000 in a human cell [2]. Although a few lncRNAs have been functionally characterized, some have been demonstrated to play biological roles in physiological processes, including development, cellular differentiation, and homeostasis [3]. Therefore, the abnormal expression of a specific lncRNA is closely linked to the initiation and progression of diseases such as cancer. Each lncRNA is expressed in the nucleus, cytoplasm, or both and can inter

FAQs

What method was used to detect DRAIC expression in this study?

The study used chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) with RNAscope technology on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens to assess DRAIC expression.

Where was DRAIC localized in the neuroendocrine-differentiated cancer cell line VMRC-LCD?

CISH showed diffuse DRAIC localization in the cytoplasm and specific accumulation in the nuclear compartment.

How did DRAIC expression differ between normal tissues and cancer tissues?

DRAIC was weakly expressed in normal epithelial cells across multiple organs, while it was moderately to highly expressed in several cancer tissues including prostate adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus.

Sep 24, 2026

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