Biochemical targets of the micropeptides encoded by lncRNAs

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides, which play important roles in regulating various cellular activities by the action of the RNA itself. However, about 40% of lncRNAs in human cells are potentially translated into micropeptides (also referred to as microproteins) usually shorter than 100 amino acids. Thus, these lncRNAs may function by both RNAs directly and their encoded micropeptides. The micropeptides encoded by lncRNAs may regulate transcription, translation, protein phosphorylation or degradation, or subcellular membrane functions. This review attempts to summarize the biochemical targets of the micropeptides-encoded by lncRNAs, which function by both RNAs and micropeptides, and discuss their associations with various diseases and their potentials as drug targets.