Long non-coding RNAs

Definition

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a diverse class of RNA molecules that are longer than 200 nucleotides and do not code for proteins. They play crucial roles in gene regulation, influencing various cellular processes, including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, and post-transcriptional modifications. Their ability to interact with DNA, RNA, and proteins allows lncRNAs to serve as scaffolds or guides in gene regulatory networks.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Long non-coding RNAs can regulate gene expression at multiple levels, including transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes.
2. lncRNAs are involved in chromatin remodeling, helping to modify the structure of chromatin and thereby influencing gene accessibility.
3. Some lncRNAs function as decoys for transcription factors, preventing them from binding to their target genes and thus inhibiting gene expression.
4. lncRNAs have been implicated in various biological processes such as development, cell differentiation, and disease states including cancer.
5. The expression patterns of lncRNAs can vary significantly across different tissues and developmental stages, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for diseases.

Review Questions

• How do long non-coding RNAs contribute to the regulation of gene expression?
  • Long non-coding RNAs contribute to gene regulation by interacting with transcription factors and chromatin-modifying complexes. They can act as scaffolds, bringing together different protein components necessary for regulating transcription. Additionally, lncRNAs can influence post-transcriptional processes, such as splicing or stability of messenger RNAs, thereby affecting overall gene expression levels.
• Discuss the role of long non-coding RNAs in epigenetic regulation and how they can impact cellular functions.
  • Long non-coding RNAs play a significant role in epigenetic regulation by interacting with chromatin-modifying enzymes and complexes. They can guide these proteins to specific genomic regions, leading to changes in histone modifications or DNA methylation patterns. This interaction alters the accessibility of genes for transcription, influencing various cellular functions such as differentiation and response to environmental stimuli.
• Evaluate the potential implications of long non-coding RNAs in cancer biology and therapy.
  • Long non-coding RNAs have emerged as key players in cancer biology due to their involvement in regulating genes associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, and cell proliferation. Their dysregulation can lead to oncogenic or tumor-suppressive effects depending on the context. Understanding the roles of lncRNAs in cancer opens new avenues for therapeutic strategies, including their potential use as biomarkers for early detection or as targets for novel treatments that modulate their activity.

Related terms

Gene expression: The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products like proteins, often regulated by lncRNAs.

Epigenetics: The study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, which can be influenced by lncRNAs.

Transcription factors: Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate the transcription of genes, often interacting with lncRNAs to modulate their activity.