YY1 and noncoding RNAs: A two-way relationship

During the last 30 years, small and long noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have gained significant importance as key genetic and epigenetic modulators. Generally, their dysregulation is involved in oncology. Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is an ubiquitously expressed transcription factor, which is often found either overexpressed or downregulated in cancer, in a way that strictly depends on the tumor type. Given its importance in regulating many cellular processes, YY1 expression is tightly controlled. In this chapter, all of the up-to-date findings regarding YY1 regulation by several different types of ncRNAs are described. Moreover the YY1 role in finely tuning, up or down, the expression levels of ncRNAs in cancer is reported. Overall the present review depicts a widely intercrossing net that interconnects ncRNAs and YY1 molecular functions. This two-way communication is pivotal in modulating, either positively or negatively, both cancer genesis and its development.