A pathophysiological view of the long non-coding RNA world.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cells must adapt to micro-environmental changes to maintain dynamic equilibrium (homeostasis).
• Proteins regulate gene expression, a key process in cellular responses to stimuli.
• Recent genomic technologies reveal pervasive transcription generating numerous long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with undefined roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cellular homeostasis from the perspective of lncRNAs.
• To understand lncRNA contributions to cellular balance.
• To explore the link between dysregulated lncRNA expression and pathologies like cancer.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on lncRNAs and cellular homeostasis.
• Analysis of findings from high-throughput genomic technologies.
• Examination of evidence linking lncRNA roles in physiological processes.

Main Results:

• lncRNAs are involved in cellular adaptation, differentiation, pluripotency, and apoptosis.
• Maintaining correct lncRNA levels is vital for cellular equilibrium.
• Dysregulated lncRNA expression is associated with various disorders and can serve as prognostic markers.

Conclusions:

• lncRNAs are significant regulators of cellular balance and homeostasis.
• Aberrant lncRNA expression contributes to disease pathogenesis, including cancer.
• Further research into lncRNAs is crucial for understanding cellular equilibrium and disease.