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Arunkumar G. LncRNAs: the good, the bad, and the unknown. Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 102:9-27. [PMID: 37579511 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2023-0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are significant contributors in maintaining genomic integrity through epigenetic regulation. LncRNAs can interact with chromatin-modifying complexes in both cis and trans pathways, drawing them to specific genomic loci and influencing gene expression via DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling. They can also operate as building blocks to assemble different chromatin-modifying components, facilitating their interactions and gene regulatory functions. Deregulation of these molecules has been associated with various human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. Thus, lncRNAs are implicated as potential diagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets. This review discusses the current understanding of how lncRNAs mediate epigenetic control, genomic integrity, and their putative functions in disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesan Arunkumar
- The LncRNA, Epigenetics, and Genome Organization Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Karner H, Webb CH, Carmona S, Liu Y, Lin B, Erhard M, Chan D, Baldi P, Spitale RC, Sun S. Functional Conservation of LncRNA JPX Despite Sequence and Structural Divergence. J Mol Biol 2019; 432:283-300. [PMID: 31518612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in all eukaryotes and are most abundant in the human genome. However, the functional importance and mechanisms of action for human lncRNAs are largely unknown. Using comparative sequence, structural, and functional analyses, we characterize the evolution and molecular function of human lncRNA JPX. We find that human JPX and its mouse homolog, lncRNA Jpx, have deep divergence in their nucleotide sequences and RNA secondary structures. Despite such differences, both lncRNAs demonstrate robust binding to CTCF, a protein that is central to Jpx's role in X chromosome inactivation. In addition, our functional rescue experiment using Jpx-deletion mutant cells shows that human JPX can functionally complement the loss of Jpx in mouse embryonic stem cells. Our findings support a model for functional conservation of lncRNAs independent from sequence and structural divergence. This study provides mechanistic insight into the evolution of lncRNA function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Karner
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Chiu-Ho Webb
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Sarah Carmona
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Computer Science, Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Benjamin Lin
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Micaela Erhard
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Dalen Chan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Pierre Baldi
- Department of Computer Science, Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Robert C Spitale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Sha Sun
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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Heard E, Brockdorff N. Preface. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 372:rstb.2016.0353. [DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil Brockdorff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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