Emerging roles of RNA processing factors in regulating long non-coding RNAs

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Epigenetics
• Plant Science

Background:

• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators in biological processes, including RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM).
• The RdDM pathway involves scaffold RNAs and siRNAs for DNA methylation complex recruitment.
• Limited knowledge exists on lncRNA production and regulation compared to messenger RNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize recent findings on lncRNA regulation within the canonical RdDM pathway.
• To highlight the role of RNA processing factors in lncRNA production and function.
• To emphasize the importance of co-transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of lncRNAs.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent evidence on lncRNA regulation in the RdDM pathway.
• Focus on the canonical RdDM pathway and associated regulatory mechanisms.
• Examination of the role of RNA processing factors, exemplified by Arabidopsis RRP6L1.

Main Results:

• lncRNAs are regulated at both co-transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.
• Arabidopsis RRP6L1 retains lncRNAs in chromatin, essential for RdDM.
• Functional lncRNA accumulation depends on RNA processing factors beyond RNA polymerases.

Conclusions:

• RNA processing factors play a critical role in the regulation and accumulation of functional lncRNAs.
• Understanding lncRNA regulation is vital for comprehending epigenetic mechanisms like RdDM.
• Emerging evidence points to RNA processing as a key theme in lncRNA biology.