Mechanisms and Functions of Long Non-Coding RNAs at Multiple Regulatory Levels

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules exceeding 200 nucleotides.
• lncRNAs regulate gene expression through interactions with DNA, mRNA, and proteins.
• They influence processes from chromatin remodeling to cell differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diverse functions of lncRNAs.
• To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs at multiple biological levels.
• To cover lncRNA roles in plants, humans, and animals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on lncRNA functions and mechanisms.
• Synthesis of information on epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional regulation by lncRNAs.
• Comparative analysis of lncRNA roles across different species.

Main Results:

• lncRNAs are involved in critical biological processes including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional activation, RNA processing, and mRNA translation.
• They play significant roles in plant growth, stress responses, and animal/human cell differentiation, cell cycle regulation, and disease occurrence.
• lncRNAs exhibit diverse regulatory mechanisms at epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels.

Conclusions:

• lncRNAs are versatile regulators with essential roles in fundamental biological processes.
• Understanding lncRNA functions and mechanisms is vital for insights into development and disease across species.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview of lncRNA significance in plants, humans, and animals.