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Intergenic lncRNAs and the evolution of gene expression
Ana C Marques1, Chris P Ponting1
1MRC Functional Genomics Unit, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3QX, UK; University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, South Parks Road, OX1 3QX, UK.
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|May 24, 2014
Summary
Most eukaryote genomes contain numerous noncoding transcripts, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). These lncRNAs rapidly evolve and play diverse gene-regulatory roles, potentially driving species-specific traits.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Eukaryote genomes extensively utilize noncoding transcripts, with approximately two-thirds of human transcribed loci not encoding proteins.
- Many of these noncoding transcripts are intergenic and classified as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), exceeding 200 nucleotides in length.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary dynamics and functional significance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs).
- To explore the potential contribution of lncRNAs to species-specific gene expression patterns and the emergence of novel traits.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics analyses to assess sequence conservation and turnover rates of lncRNAs across species.
- Transcriptomics approaches to identify and quantify lncRNA expression patterns.
- Functional characterization of a subset of well-studied lncRNAs to infer broader roles.
Main Results:
- lncRNA sequence and transcription patterns exhibit rapid evolutionary turnover across species.
- lncRNAs demonstrate diverse roles in the regulation of gene expression.
- Evidence suggests lncRNAs contribute to species-specific expression differences.
Conclusions:
- The rapid evolution and diverse functions of lncRNAs suggest they are key players in shaping species-specific characteristics.
- lncRNAs may be significant contributors to evolutionary innovation and the origin of new traits.
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