title: Gene regulation by non-coding RNAs.
abstract: The past two decades have seen an explosion in research on non-coding RNAs and their physiological and pathological functions. Several classes of small (20-30 nucleotides) and long (>200 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs have been firmly established as key regulators of gene expression in myriad processes ranging from embryonic development to innate immunity. In this review, we focus on our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the biogenesis and function of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). In addition, we briefly review the relevance of small and long non-coding RNAs to human physiology and pathology and their potential to be exploited as therapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: Program for RNA Biology, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute , La Jolla, CA , USA .
authors.forename: Veena S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Tariq M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Rana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D034622:RNA Interference; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D022661:RNA, Untranslated