Long noncoding RNA: Disclosing new horizon in the molecular world of insects

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are the most versatile group of nonprotein-coding RNAs consisting of nucleotides of length more than 200 bp. Similar to mammal's genome phenomenon, thousands of lncRNAs have been discovered in the insect's genome through RNA sequencing technology and computational methods, which contributes to the diverse biological processes including diseases to regulate the gene expression, dosage compensation, and epigenetic imprinting of entire chromosome. In fruit fly, lncRNAs exposed noteworthy functions in the behavioral processes, sex, and neural development. However, in the silkworm, lncRNAs were linked with silk synthesis and affect the apoptosis; additionally, other baculoviral lncRNAs contributed to establishing the complex regulation of viral gene expression in baculovirus-infected BmN cells. In diamondback moth, lncRNA gene expression study revealed the insecticidal resistant activity, whereas caste differentiation and behavior mechanism in honeybee were also significantly investigated. Therefore, lncRNAs exist in various insect's genomes, opening a new horizon for biotechnologist to identify, study, and disclose the gene expression, regulatory and biological functions of lncRNAs in insects.