Long non-coding rnas -tuning fork in regulation of cell proceses

Abstract

Most of RNA transcripts, instead of serving templates for protein synthesis, perform different functions such as control of embryogenesis, differentiation, imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation, immune response, and stress reactions. A large portion of these RNA s are denoted as long non-coding RNA s (lncRNA s) which function as signaling molecules, navigating systems and platforms for ribonucleic complexes assembly. They also participate in the organization of specific cellular domains. Moreover, they are able to bind regulatory proteins and micro- RNA s, and serve as precursors for small RNA s. It was shown that lncRNA s participate in transcription regulation; they are also involved in alternative splicing, RNA editing, traffic, translation and degradation of RNA . The three-dimensional structure of lncRNA s plays a crucial role in processes of chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation. In this review we discuss various aspects of lncRNA s functioning. © Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2014.