The function of non-coding RNAs in genomic imprinting.
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that regulate gene expression in cis or in trans are a shared feature of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. In mammals, cis-acting functions are associated with macro ncRNAs, which can be several hundred thousand nucleotides long. Imprinted ncRNAs are well-studied macro ncRNAs that have cis-regulatory effects on multiple flanking genes. Recent advances indicate that they employ different downstream mechanisms to regulate gene expression in embryonic and placental tissues. A better understanding of these downstream mechanisms will help to improve our general understanding of the function of ncRNAs throughout the genome.
Koerner
Martha V
MV
Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, Vienna Biocenter, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
Pauler
Florian M
FM
Huang
Ru
R
Barlow
Denise P
DP
D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000502:physiology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018392:Genomic Imprinting / Q000502:physiology*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000502:physiology*
D006657:Histones; D022661:RNA, Untranslated