title: Long noncoding RNAs: emerging stars in gene regulation, epigenetics and human disease.
abstract: Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are classes of transcripts that are encoded by the genome and transcribed but never get translated into proteins. Though not translated into proteins, ncRNAs play pivotal roles in a variety of cellular functions. Here, we review the functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their implications in various human diseases. Increasing numbers of studies demonstrate that lncRNAs play critical roles in regulation of protein-coding genes, maintenance of genomic integrity, dosage compensation, genomic imprinting, mRNA processing, cell differentiation, and development. Misregulation of lncRNAs is associated with a variety of human diseases, including cancer, immune and neurological disorders. Different classes of lncRNAs, their functions, mechanisms of action, and associations with different human diseases are summarized in detail, highlighting their as yet untapped potential in therapy.
authors.affiliation: Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019 (USA).
authors.forename: Arunoday
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhan
authors.forename: Subhrangsu S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mandal
mesh_terms: D004194:Disease; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding
keywords: drugs targets; epigenetics; gene regulation; human diseases; long noncoding RNA; noncoding RNA