Autuoro Joseph M, Pirnie Stephan P, Carmichael Gordon G
Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 400 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
Biomolecules. 2014 Jan 7;4(1):76-100. doi: 10.3390/biom4010076.
The field of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) research has been rapidly advancing in recent years. Technological advancements and deep-sequencing of the transcriptome have facilitated the identification of numerous new lncRNAs, many with unusual properties, however, the function of most of these molecules is still largely unknown. Some evidence suggests that several of these lncRNAs may regulate their own transcription in cis, and that of nearby genes, by recruiting remodeling factors to local chromatin. Notably, lncRNAs are known to exist at many imprinted gene clusters. Genomic imprinting is a complex and highly regulated process resulting in the monoallelic silencing of certain genes, based on the parent-of-origin of the allele. It is thought that lncRNAs may regulate many imprinted loci, however, the mechanism by which they exert such influence is poorly understood. This review will discuss what is known about the lncRNAs of major imprinted loci, and the roles they play in the regulation of imprinting.
近年来，长链非编码RNA（lncRNA）研究领域发展迅速。转录组的技术进步和深度测序促进了众多新lncRNA的鉴定，其中许多具有不寻常的特性，然而，这些分子中大多数的功能仍很大程度上未知。一些证据表明，其中一些lncRNA可能通过将重塑因子招募到局部染色质来顺式调节自身转录以及附近基因的转录。值得注意的是，已知lncRNA存在于许多印记基因簇中。基因组印记是一个复杂且高度受调控的过程，基于等位基因的亲本来源导致某些基因的单等位基因沉默。人们认为lncRNA可能调节许多印记位点，然而，它们发挥这种影响的机制却知之甚少。本综述将讨论关于主要印记位点的lncRNA的已知信息，以及它们在印记调控中所起的作用。
