title: Long noncoding RNAs as Organizers of Nuclear Architecture.
abstract: In the eukaryotic cell nucleus, chromatin and its associated macromolecules must be organized into a higher-ordered conformation to function normally. However, mechanisms underlying the organization and dynamics of the nucleus remain unclear. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), i.e., transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with little or no protein-coding capacity, are increasingly recognized as important regulators in diverse biological processes. Recent studies have shown that some lncRNAs are involved in various aspects of genome organization, including the facilitation of chromosomal interactions and establishment of nuclear bodies, suggesting that lncRNAs act as general organizers of the nuclear architecture. Here, we discuss recent advances in this emerging and intriguing field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine of Ministry of Education & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine of Ministry of Education & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ming
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine of Ministry of Education & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
authors.forename: Minzhe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine of Ministry of Education & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. bowen75@fudan.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D016678:Genome / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding
keywords: chromatin; long noncoding RNAs; nuclear architecture