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. These RNA molecules play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and maintaining cellular functions, serving as key players in epigenetic processes and non-genetic inheritance mechanisms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. lncRNAs can influence chromatin structure, affecting how genes are expressed without changing the DNA sequence itself.
2. They can act as scaffolds, bringing together proteins and other molecules to form complexes that regulate gene activity.
3. Some lncRNAs are involved in cellular processes like differentiation, development, and response to stress, showcasing their functional diversity.
4. lncRNAs can also be inherited through generations, contributing to non-genetic inheritance by affecting traits without altering DNA.
5. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been linked to various diseases, including cancer, highlighting their importance in health and disease.

Review Questions

• How do long non-coding RNAs influence gene expression at an epigenetic level?
  • Long non-coding RNAs influence gene expression by interacting with chromatin and modifying its structure. They can recruit proteins that modify histones or alter DNA methylation patterns, leading to changes in how accessible certain genes are for transcription. This interaction effectively silences or activates genes without any change to the DNA sequence itself, showcasing their significant role in epigenetics.
• Discuss the potential implications of lncRNAs in non-genetic inheritance and their contribution to traits across generations.
  • Long non-coding RNAs contribute to non-genetic inheritance by regulating gene expression patterns that can be passed down through generations. These RNA molecules may influence phenotypic traits in offspring by altering the expression of key genes without modifying the DNA sequence. As such, lncRNAs play a critical role in how environmental factors can lead to heritable changes in traits, which is a crucial aspect of understanding inheritance beyond classical genetics.
• Evaluate the significance of lncRNAs in health and disease, particularly their role in cancer research and treatment strategies.
  • Long non-coding RNAs hold significant importance in health and disease due to their regulatory roles in gene expression. In cancer research, many lncRNAs have been identified as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, influencing cancer progression and response to therapies. Understanding the function and mechanisms of these lncRNAs can lead to novel treatment strategies that target their pathways, offering new avenues for intervention in cancer therapy and potentially other diseases linked to lncRNA dysregulation.

Related terms

Epigenetics:

The study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, often involving modifications like DNA methylation and histone modification.

Gene Regulation: The mechanisms that control the timing and amount of gene expression, ensuring that genes are turned on or off as needed for proper cellular function.

Non-coding RNA: A category of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but have regulatory roles in gene expression and cellular processes, including microRNAs and small interfering RNAs.