The long noncoding RNA Malat1: Its physiological and pathophysiological functions

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that in humans, DNA sequences responsible for protein coding regions comprise only 2% of the total genome. The rest of the transcripts result in RNA transcripts without protein-coding ability, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Different from most members in the lncRNA family, the metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (Malat1) is abundantly expressed and evolutionarily conserved throughout various mammalian species. Malat1 is one of the first identified lncRNAs associated with human disease, and cumulative studies have indicated that Malat1 plays critical roles in the development and progression of various cancers. Malat1 is also actively involved in various physiologic processes, including alternative splicing, epigenetic modification of gene expression, synapse formation, and myogenesis. Furthermore, extensive evidences show that Malat1 plays pivotal roles in multiple pathological conditions as well. In this review, we will summarize latest findings related to the physiologic and pathophysiological processes of Malat1 and discuss its therapeutic potentials.

Transcriptome Analyses of lncRNAs in A2E-Stressed Retinal Epithelial Cells Unveil Advanced Links between Metabolic Impairments Related to Oxidative Stress and Retinitis Pigmentosa

“…Such effects could alter cellular growth and synthesis of ribosomes, leading to RPE cell death [78]. Interestingly, two of dysregulated lncRNAs, NEAT1 and MALAT1, are known to be involved in the constitution of paraspeckles nuclear bodies, involved in the trapping of adenosine-to-inosine edited RNA and in retention of serine/arginine (SR) splicing factors [79,80]. MALAT1, whose expression resulted mainly down-regulated after induced oxidative stress, could play its activity on cell survival, especially Muller and ganglion cells (RGCs).…”

LncRNA MALAT1 protects cardiomyocytes from isoproterenol‐induced apoptosis through sponging miR‐558 to enhance ULK1‐mediated protective autophagy

“…In our study, we showed that lncRNA MALAT1 could sponge miR‐558, reducing its binding availability to ULK1 mRNA, in turn upregulating the expression levels of ULK1 mRNA. Especially for MALAT1, it was reported that MALAT1, as an important lncRNA in cancer, has been shown to promote the metastasis, proliferation, and invasion through various mechanisms (X. Zhang, Hamblin, & Yin, ). For example, MALAT1 could regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells via decoying miR‐140‐5p (Sun & Qin, ).…”

Long Non-Coding RNA MALAT1 Protects Human Osteoblasts from Dexamethasone-Induced Injury via Activation of PPM1E-AMPK Signaling

“…The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) [15], or Lnc-MALAT1, is an abundant and highly conserved lncRNA [16][17][18]. It was first discovered as a prognostic marker for lung cancer metastasis [19].…”

“…It was first discovered as a prognostic marker for lung cancer metastasis [19]. Lnc-MALAT1 is overexpressed in various human cancers [16][17][18]. It interacts with polycomb-2 to regulate histone modifications and cell proliferation [20].…”