Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
J Cell Biol. 2021 Feb 1;220(2). doi: 10.1083/jcb.202009045.
Subcellular localization of RNAs has gained attention in recent years as a prevalent phenomenon that influences numerous cellular processes. This is also evident for the large and relatively novel class of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Because lncRNAs are defined as RNA transcripts >200 nucleotides that do not encode protein, they are themselves the functional units, making their subcellular localization critical to their function. The discovery of tens of thousands of lncRNAs and the cumulative evidence involving them in almost every cellular activity render assessment of their subcellular localization essential to fully understanding their biology. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of lncRNA subcellular localization, factors controlling their localization, emerging themes, including the role of lncRNA isoforms and the involvement of lncRNAs in phase separation bodies, and the implications of lncRNA localization on their function and on cellular behavior. We also discuss gaps in the current knowledge as well as opportunities that these provide for novel avenues of investigation.
近年来，RNA 的亚细胞定位作为一种普遍存在的现象，影响着众多细胞过程，引起了人们的关注。对于数量庞大且相对新颖的长非编码 RNA (lncRNA) 类也是如此。由于 lncRNA 的定义为不编码蛋白质的 RNA 转录本>200 个核苷酸，因此它们本身就是功能单元，使得它们的亚细胞定位对其功能至关重要。数以万计的 lncRNA 的发现以及涉及它们几乎所有细胞活动的累积证据表明，评估它们的亚细胞定位对于全面了解它们的生物学特性是必不可少的。在这篇综述中，我们总结了 lncRNA 亚细胞定位的现有知识、控制其定位的因素、新出现的主题，包括 lncRNA 异构体的作用以及 lncRNA 参与相分离体，以及 lncRNA 定位对其功能和细胞行为的影响。我们还讨论了当前知识中的空白以及这些空白为新的研究途径提供的机会。
