lncRNA: a promising target for cataracts

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are nonprotein-coding transcripts containing >200 nucleotides. lncRNA was first considered the “noise” of genome transcription and had no biological function. With the deepening of research, lncRNA has been found to regulate gene expression at epigenetic, transcriptional, and translation levels, thus affecting cell proliferation, apoptosis, viability, immune response, and oxidative stress. More and more studies have shown that the expression and function of lncRNA are closely related to ophthalmic diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. This review summarized the classification and mechanism of known lncRNAs and the role of lncRNAs in eye diseases, especially in cataracts, and further clarified their mechanism.