Biological Functions and Research Methods of Long Noncoding RNAs

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are functional RNA molecules which are longer than 200 nucleotides in length that do not encode proteins; instead, they regulate target gene expression at transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and epigenetic levels. LncRNAs play important roles in various biological processes such as dosage compensation, genomic imprinting, cell cycle regulation, and cell differentiation. Although their characterizations have been relatively straightforward with recent advances in modern biology, the functions of lncRNAs are largely unknown. Herein, we discuss the biological functions and research methods of lncRNAs.