Molecular mechanisms underlying actions of certain long noncoding RNAs in Alzheimer's disease

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non-protein coding RNAs that have more than 200 nucleotides. LncRNAs play an important role in the regulation of protein-coding genes at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. They are found in most organs, with a high prevalence in the central nervous system. Accumulating data suggests that lncRNAs are involved in various neurodegenerative disorders, including the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent insights suggest lncRNAs, such as BACE1-AS, 51A, 17A, NDM29 and AS-UCHL1, are dysregulated in AD tissues. Furthermore, there are ongoing efforts to explore the clinical usability of lncRNAs as biomarkers in the disease. In this review, we explore the mechanisms by which aberrant expressions of the most studied lncRNAs contribute to the neuropathologies associated with AD, including amyloid β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in patients with AD will reveal novel diagnosis strategies and more effective therapeutic targets.