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Targeting Human lncRNAs for Treating Cardiometabolic Diseases

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Abstract

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have evolved as a critical regulatory mechanism for almost all biological processes. By dynamically interacting with their molecular partners, lncRNAs regulate gene activity at multiple levels ranging from transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, RNA transporting, RNA decay, and translation of mRNA.

Results and Conclusions

Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been associated with human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiometabolic diseases. However, as lncRNAs are usually much less conserved than mRNAs at the sequence level, most human lncRNAs are either primate or human specific. The pathophysiological significance of human lncRNAs is still mostly unclear due to the persistent limitations in studying human-specific genes. This review will focus on recent discoveries showing human lncRNAs’ roles in regulating metabolic homeostasis and the potential of targeting this unique group of genes for treatment of cardiometabolic diseases.

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Funding

This study was funded by NHLBI Division of Intramural Research funds to HC (1ZIAHL006103, 1ZIAHL006159).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Xiangbo Ruan

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  1. Xiangbo Ruan
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Xiangbo Ruan initiated the idea for the article, performed the literature search, and drafted the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Xiangbo Ruan.

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Ruan, X. Targeting Human lncRNAs for Treating Cardiometabolic Diseases. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 35, 655–662 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-021-07158-2

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