Long Non-Coding RNAs as Regulators of Angiogenesis: A Mini-Review

Abstract

While only about 5-10% mammalian transcripts act as mRNAs, the vast majority of them do not have protein-coding capability, of which, a class of non-coding RNAs with a length of over 200 nucleotides are defined as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). It has been shown that lncRNAs interact with RNA, DNA, or proteins through diverse mechanisms to regulate gene expression, thereby controlling a wide range of biological processes. Angiogenesis, a process of new blood vessel formation from pre-existing ones, occurs under both physiological and pathological conditions. It is involved in many diseases. In this article, lncRNA regulatory roles in angiogenesis and their therapeutic potentials were reviewed and discussed. Cell Mol Med Res. 2017;1(1):7-10 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cmmr15e