Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Regulation of Gene Expression: Physiology and Disease

Author(s)

Fernandes, Juliane C. R. ; Acuna, Stephanie M. ; Aoki, Juliana, I ; Floeter-Winter, Lucile M. ; Muxel, Sandra M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NON-CODING RNA; v. 5, n. 1, p. 25-pg., 2019-03-01.

Abstract

The identification of RNAs that are not translated into proteins was an important breakthrough, defining the diversity of molecules involved in eukaryotic regulation of gene expression. These non-coding RNAs can be divided into two main classes according to their length: short non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The lncRNAs in association with other molecules can coordinate several physiological processes and their dysfunction may impact in several pathologies, including cancer and infectious diseases. They can control the flux of genetic information, such as chromosome structure modulation, transcription, splicing, messenger RNA (mRNA) stability, mRNA availability, and post-translational modifications. Long non-coding RNAs present interaction domains for DNA, mRNAs, miRNAs, and proteins, depending on both sequence and secondary structure. The advent of new generation sequencing has provided evidences of putative lncRNAs existence; however, the analysis of transcriptomes for their functional characterization remains a challenge. Here, we review some important aspects of lncRNA biology, focusing on their role as regulatory elements in gene expression modulation during physiological and disease processes, with implications in host and pathogens physiology, and their role in immune response modulation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/23519-2 - Analysis of role of miRNAs and transcription factors on the regulation of gene expression of Leishmania amazonensis infected murine macrophages
• Grantee: Stephanie Maia Acuna
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 14/50717-1 - Biochemical, physiological and functional genomic studies of Leishmania-macrophage interaction
• Grantee: Lucile Maria Floeter-Winter
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/03273-6 - Dual transcriptome profiling of murine macrophages infected with Leishmania amazonensis
• Grantee: Juliana Ide Aoki
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/19815-2 - Role of miRNAs in the TLRs-mediated immune response to Leishmania amazonensis infection
• Grantee: Sandra Marcia Muxel
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/24693-9 - Integration of signaling mediated by transcription factors, long-noncoding RNAs and microRNAs during immune response agaisnt Leishmania amazonensis infection
• Grantee: Sandra Marcia Muxel
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/21906-9 - Role of miRNAs in the regulation of polyamines/NO production pathways in THP-1 derived macrophages infected with Leishmania amazonensis
• Grantee: Juliane Cristina Ribeiro Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)