Long non-coding RNA regulation of gene expression during differentiation.

Transcriptome analysis of mammalian genomes has revealed widespread transcription, much of which does not encode protein. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a subset of the non-coding transcriptome that are emerging as critical regulators of various cellular processes. Differentiation of stem and progenitor cells requires a careful execution of specific genetic programs, and recent studies have revealed that lncRNA expression contributes to specification of cell identity. LncRNAs participate in regulating differentiation at multiple levels of gene expression through various mechanisms of action. In this review, functional roles of lncRNAs in regulating cellular differentiation of blood, muscle, skin, cardiomyocytes, adipocytes, and neurons are discussed.