Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation by Long Non-Coding RNA

Abstract

Advances in genomics technology over recent years have led to the surprising discovery that the genome is far more pervasively transcribed than was previously appreciated. Much of the newly-discovered transcriptome appears to represent long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a heterogeneous group of largely uncharacterised transcripts. Understanding the biological function of these molecules represents a major challenge and in this review we discuss some of the progress made to date. One major theme of lncRNA biology seems to be the existence of a network of interactions with microRNA (miRNA) pathways. lncRNA has been shown to act as both a source and an inhibitory regulator of miRNA. At the transcriptional level, a model is emerging whereby lncRNA bridges DNA and protein by binding to chromatin and serving as a scaffold for modifying protein complexes. Such a mechanism can bridge promoters to enhancers or enhancer-like non-coding genes by regulating chromatin looping, as well as conferring specificity on histone modifying complexes by directing them to specific loci.

Long non‐coding RNA MIF‐AS1 promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and reduces apoptosis to upregulate NDUFA4

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show the role of lncMIF‐AS1 in cancer progression. LncRNAs are an extensive class of evolutionarily conserved non‐coding RNAs that are not translated into proteins; this “junk RNA” accounts for the major component of human transcripts . In the past few years, growing evidence suggests that lncRNAs play an important role in regulating many cell processes including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis through regulation of the target gene at transcriptional, post‐transcriptional and epigenetic levels …”

“…To date, a large number of reports have shown that dysregulation of lncRNAs significantly contributes to the initiation and progression of gastric cancer through different molecular mechanisms . For example, lncRNA OR3A4 has been found to promote tumorigenicity and metastasis of gastric cancer through regulating the activation of PDLIM2, MACC1, NTN4 and GNB2L1 .…”

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

“…4,5 Growing evidence indicates that lncRNAs exert pivotal functions in the development of various tumors, including HCC. 4,5 Growing evidence indicates that lncRNAs exert pivotal functions in the development of various tumors, including HCC.…”

Long Non-coding RNA Landscape in Colorectal Cancer

“…In addition, lncRNAs are also involved in the regulation of transcriptional processes whereby lncRNAs can aid in the recruitment of chromatin modifiers and aid in the formation of enhancer-like complex. Moreover, lncRNAs can also affect post-transcriptional processes via its interference with mRNA splicing processes and as a negative regulator in the inhibition of miRNA activity [6,7,9] .…”