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Long noncoding RNAs as metazoan developmental regulators

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Abstract

The study of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is still in its infancy with more putative RNAs identified than those with ascribed functions. Defined as transcripts that are longer than 200 nucleotides without a coding sequence, their numbers are on the rise and may well challenge protein coding transcripts in number and diversity. lncRNAs are often expressed at low levels and their sequences are frequently poorly conserved, making it unclear if they are transcriptional noise or bonafide effectors. Despite these limitations, inroads into their functions are being made and it is clear they make a contribution in regulating all aspects of biology. The early verdict on their activity, however, suggests the majority function as chromatin modifiers. A good proportion show a connection to disease highlighting their importance and the need to determine their function. The focus of this review is on lncRNAs which influence developmental processes which in itself covers a large range of known activities.

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Abbreviations

BRD4:

Bromodomain protein 4

CDK7:

Cyclin dependent kinase 7

CoREST:

Corepressor of RE1 silencing transcription factor

CTD:

C-terminal domain

DCC:

Dosage compensation complex

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

HOTAIR:

HOX antisense intergenic RNA

HOTTIP:

HOXA transcript at the distal tip

lncRNAs:

Long noncoding RNAs

mRNA:

Messenger RNA

ORF:

Open reading frame

P-TEFb:

Positive transcription elongation factor b

PcG:

Polycomb group

PRC2:

Polycomb repressive complex 2

PRE:

Polycomb response elements

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

RNAP II:

RNA polymerase II

STAU1:

Staufen 1 protein

TINCR:

Terminal differentiation-induced ncRNA

TrxG:

Trithorax group

Xist:

X-inactive specific transcript

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Medicine at Florida State University for the financial support and the members of my lab for comments on the manuscript.

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The author declares no conflict of interest.

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  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Rm 3300-G, 1115 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4300, USA

    Jamila I. Horabin

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Responsible Editor: Brian P. Chadwick, Kristin C. Scott, and Beth A. Sullivan

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Horabin, J.I. Long noncoding RNAs as metazoan developmental regulators. Chromosome Res 21, 673–684 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10577-013-9382-8

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