Non-Coding RNAs and Human Diseases, volume II: Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and Pathogenesis of Human Disease
Author: Yujing Li
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Published: 2024-11-06
Total Pages: 207
ISBN-13: 2832556213
DOWNLOAD EBOOKLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides rarely translatable into protein, which distinguishes them from small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) such as miRNAs, siRNAs, piRNAs, snoRNAs exRNAs, (scaRNAs). Long intervening/intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) refer to lncRNA non-overlapped to protein-coding genes. In terms of abundance and specificity, ~30,000 lncRNAs have been identified in human tissues with ~ 10- fold lower abundance than mRNA. Near 80% of lncRNAs show tissue-specific features, in contrast to only less than 20% of mRNAs. In addition to tissue specificity, lncRNAs are also characterized by having significantly higher developmental stage specificity. Of the identified lncRNAs, although only a very small proportion have been validated to be biologically relevant, the emerging evidence has confirmed important regulatory functions at levels of transcription, post transcription, and epigenetic control. Physiologically, lncRNAs are involved in growth, development, reproduction, aging, and pathogenesis of disease initiation and progression, such as neurological disorders and cancers.