title: Stable intronic sequence RNAs (sisRNAs): a new layer of gene regulation.
abstract: Upon splicing, introns are rapidly degraded. Hence, RNAs derived from introns are commonly deemed as junk sequences. However, the discoveries of intronic-derived small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), small Cajal body associated RNAs (scaRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) suggested otherwise. These non-coding RNAs are shown to play various roles in gene regulation. In this review, we highlight another class of intron-derived RNAs known as stable intronic sequence RNAs (sisRNAs). sisRNAs have been observed since the 1980 s; however, we are only beginning to understand their biological significance. Recent studies have shown or suggested that sisRNAs regulate their own host's gene expression, function as molecular sinks or sponges, and regulate protein translation. We propose that sisRNAs function as an additional layer of gene regulation in the cells.
authors.affiliation: Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.affiliation: Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore.
authors.forename: Mandy Li-Ian
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.affiliation: Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore. junwei@tll.org.sg.
authors.forename: Jun Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Pek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D012326:RNA Splicing; D020537:RNA, Small Nucleolar / Q000378:metabolism*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D020537:RNA, Small Nucleolar; D022661:RNA, Untranslated
keywords: Intron; Non-coding RNA; sisRNA