Rise of the RNA Machines: Exploring the Structure of Long Non-Coding RNAs

• Published in: Journal of molecular biology 2013-10, Vol.425 (19), p.3731-3746
• Main Authors: Novikova, Irina V., Hennelly, Scott P., Tung, Chang-Shung, Sanbonmatsu, Karissa Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: brain; Brain Diseases - genetics; Epigenesis, Genetic; epigenetics; evolution; Gene Expression Regulation; genes; genetic disorders; Humans; lincRNA; lncRNA; lncRNA structure; long non-coding RNA; mammals; Neoplasms - genetics; non-coding RNA; Nucleic Acid Conformation; Protein Conformation; RNA - genetics; RNA - isolation & purification; RNA, Long Noncoding - chemistry; RNA, Long Noncoding - genetics; therapeutics
• ISSN: 0022-2836; 1089-8638
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2013.02.030

Novel, profound and unexpected roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging in critical aspects of gene regulation. Thousands of lncRNAs have been recently discovered in a wide range of mammalian systems, related to development, epigenetics, cancer, brain function and hereditary disease. The structural biology of these lncRNAs presents a brave new RNA world, which may contain a diverse zoo of new architectures and mechanisms. While structural studies of lncRNAs are in their infancy, we describe existing structural data for lncRNAs, as well as crystallographic studies of other RNA machines and their implications for lncRNAs. We also discuss the importance of dynamics in RNA machine mechanism. Determining commonalities between lncRNA systems will help elucidate the evolution and mechanistic role of lncRNAs in disease, creating a structural framework necessary to pursue lncRNA-based therapeutics. [Display omitted] ► LncRNAs play key roles in disease, development and epigenetics. ► In light of the length of lncRNAs (typically 1–10kb), few structural studies exist. ► A secondary structure study of a lncRNA displays 25 helices and 4 sub-domains. ► In addition to secondary structure, we discuss possibilities for three-dimensional structure.