The various and shared roles of lncRNAs during development

Abstract

lncRNAs, genes transcribed but not translated, longer than 200 nucleotides, are classified as a separate class of nonprotein coding genes. Since their discovery, largely from RNAseq data, a number of pioneer studies have begun to unravel its myriad functions, centered on gene expression regulation, suggesting developmental and evolutionary conservation. Since they do not code for proteins and have no open reading frames, their functional constraints likely differ from that of protein coding genes, or of genes where the majority of the nucleotide sequence is required for function, like tRNAs. This has complicated assessment of both developmental and evolutionary conservation, and the identification of homologs in different species. Here we argue that other characteristics: general synteny and particular chromosomal placement regardless of sequence, sequence micro‐motifs, and secondary structure allow for “homologs” to be identified and compared, confirming developmental and evolutionary conservation of lncRNAs. We conclude exemplifying a case in point: that of the evolutionarily conserved lncRNA acal, characterized and required for embryogenesis in Drosophila.

Regulation of Metabolic Reprogramming by Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer

“…The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) class includes long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), natural antisense transcripts (NATs), transcribed ultraconserved region (T-UCR) and non-coding pseudogenes. lncRNAs regulate stem-cell maintenance and cell differentiation, embryogenesis, X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting and the establishment of epigenetic marks [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

LncRNA LINC00467 acted as an oncogene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by accelerating cell proliferation and preventing cell apoptosis via the miR‐485‐5p/DPAGT1 axis

“…In mechanism, although lncRNAs lack the capacity to encode proteins, they are able to regulate gene expression through direct or indirect mechanism 37 . Previous studies have demonstrated that lncRNA regulates target gene expression by acting as a molecular sponge for miRNA through the ceRNA pattern in the progression of ESCC 38–40 .…”

Specific Features of Sex Determination in Birds on the Example ofGallus gallusdomesticus

“…They present high sequence divergence between species. Nonetheless, similar or equivalent lncRNAs perform the same functions in different organisms [26]. The W chromosome is necessary for the appearance of the ovary.…”