Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence
Published on: May 1, 2017
MicroRNAs and lncRNAs in senescence: A re-view
Oliver Bischof1,2, Ricardo Iván Martínez-Zamudio1,2
1Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Nuclear Organization and Oncogenesis, Department of Cell Biology and Infection, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Cellular senescence is a stress response to a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic insults that cause genomic or epigenomic perturbations. It is now widely recognized as a potent tumor suppressor mechanism as well as a biological process impacting aging and organismal development. Like other cell fate decisions, senescence is executed and maintained by an intricate network of transcription factors (TFs), chromatin modifiers, and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Altogether, these factors cooperate to implement the gene expression program that initiates and sustains the senescent phenotype. In the context of senescence, microRNAs (miRs) and long ncRNAs have been found to play regulatory roles at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the field and point toward future research directions to gain a better understanding of ncRNAs in senescence.
Insights
Cellular senescence, a key stress response, involves noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in regulating gene expression. Understanding ncRNAs
Area of Science:
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Genetics and Epigenetics
- Aging Research
Background:
- Cellular senescence is a crucial stress response to cellular damage, acting as a tumor suppressor and influencing aging.
- Senescence involves complex regulatory networks including transcription factors, chromatin modifiers, and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs).
- ncRNAs, such as microRNAs (miRs) and long ncRNAs, are recognized for their roles in regulating gene expression during senescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding the role of ncRNAs in cellular senescence.
- To highlight the regulatory functions of miRs and long ncRNAs at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in senescence.
- To identify future research directions for a comprehensive understanding of ncRNAs in senescence.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent developments in ncRNA research related to cellular senescence.
- Analysis of studies investigating the regulatory mechanisms of miRs and long ncRNAs in senescence.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on ncRNA involvement in the senescence gene expression program.
Main Results:
- ncRNAs play significant regulatory roles in initiating and maintaining the senescent phenotype.
- Both microRNAs and long ncRNAs modulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels during senescence.
- The intricate network of ncRNAs is integral to the cell fate decision of entering senescence.
Conclusions:
- ncRNAs are critical regulators of cellular senescence, impacting its initiation and maintenance.
- Further research into ncRNA functions is essential for a deeper understanding of senescence.
- Investigating ncRNAs offers potential avenues for therapeutic strategies related to aging and cancer.
