Towards Molecular Mechanism in Long Non-coding RNAs: Linking Structure and Function

While long non-coding RNAs play key roles in disease and development, few structural studies have been performed to date for this emerging class of RNAs. Here, we provide a brief review of functional studies of long non-coding RNAs, followed by a review of previous structural studies of long non-coding RNAs. We then describe structural studies of other classes of RNAs using chemical probing, nuclear magnetic resonance, small angle X-ray scattering, X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Next, we describe the way forward for the structural biology of long non-coding RNAs in terms of cryo-EM. Finally, we discuss of the roles of long non-coding RNAs in the cell and how structure-function relationships might be used to elucidate further understanding.