Cytoplasmic functions of long noncoding RNAs

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides found throughout the cell that lack protein-coding function. Their functions are closely linked to their interaction with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and nucleic acids. Nuclear lncRNAs have been studied extensively, revealing complexes with structural and regulatory roles that enable gene organization and control transcription. Cytoplasmic lncRNAs are less well understood, but accumulating evidence indicates that they also form complexes with diverse structural and regulatory functions. Here, we review our current knowledge of cytoplasmic lncRNAs and the different levels of gene regulation controlled by cytoplasmic lncRNA complexes, including mRNA turnover, translation, protein stability, sponging of cytosolic factors, and modulation of signaling pathways. We conclude by discussing areas of future study needed to elucidate comprehensively the biology of lncRNAs, to further understand the impact of lncRNAs on physiology and design lncRNA-centered therapeutic strategies. This article is categorized under: RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.

Silencing of long noncoding RNA HOXD‐AS1 inhibits proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through MEK/ERK pathway

“…Subsequently, the expression status of HOXD-AS1 in HCC was validated employing 20 pairs of HCC and adjacent nonneoplastic tissues, as well as eight HCC cell lines (Bel-7402, Bel-7404, HepG2, Hep3B, SMMC-7721, MHCC97H, MHCC97L, and HCCLM3) and the normal human hepatic cell line L-O2 cells by qRT-PCR. 16 Thus, the subcellular localization of lncRNAs can provide clues to exploring the function of lncRNAs. A great deal of studies have shown that the functional mechanism of lncRNAs highly relies on their distinct subcellular localization.…”

The how and why of lncRNA function: An innate immune perspective

“…Web servers can assist in quickly assessing experimentally determined or predictive RNA-RNA interactions [204] or even RNA-protein interactions [205,206]. Depending on the subcellular or extracellular compartmental localization of a lncRNA, this patterning will elude to the regulatory role of the gene, as well as how a lncRNA might execute its function [207][208][209]. Some LncRNAs that are localized to the nucleus or chromatin have been experimentally shown to function in cis to regulate the transcriptional expression of a neighboring gene, or in trans to regulate the transcriptional regulation of a subclass of genes through the interactions between heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) [42,54,60,210].…”

Long non‐coding RNAs in cancer: Another layer of complexity

“…Among the important lncRNAs deregulated in cancer, ANRIL (antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus) has been reported to recruit PRC2 and PRC1 complexes and repress gene expression . Post‐transcriptionally, lncRNAs are involved in every step of RNA metabolism, such as splicing, nuclear export, localization and mRNA decay, as well as protein translation and stability . In the cytoplasm, lncRNAs may work as decoys, by sequestering proteins from their usual targets.…”