title: The role of long non-coding RNAs in neurodevelopment, brain function and neurological disease.
abstract: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts with low protein-coding potential that represent a large proportion of the transcriptional output of the cell. Many lncRNAs exhibit features indicative of functionality including tissue-restricted expression, localization to distinct subcellular structures, regulated expression and evolutionary conservation. Some lncRNAs have been shown to associate with chromatin-modifying activities and transcription factors, suggesting that a common mode of action may be to guide protein complexes to target genomic loci. However, the functions (if any) of the vast majority of lncRNA transcripts are currently unknown, and the subject of investigation. Here, we consider the putative role(s) of lncRNAs in neurodevelopment and brain function with an emphasis on the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Associations of lncRNAs with neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodegeneration and brain cancers are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA School of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Kevin V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK matthew.wood@dpag.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Matthew J A
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding
keywords: brain; epigenetics; long non-coding RNA; neurodegeneration; neurodevelopment