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How does noncoding transcription regulate Hox genes?
Author(s) -
Lempradl Adelheid,
Ringrose Leonie
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.20704
Subject(s) - hox gene , biology , genetics , gene , transcription (linguistics) , gene silencing , transcriptome , long non coding rna , rna , computational biology , transcription factor , evolutionary biology , gene expression , linguistics , philosophy
Noncoding RNA has arrived at centre stage in recent years with the discovery of “hidden transcriptomes” in many higher organisms. Over two decades ago, noncoding transcripts were discovered in Drosophila Hox complexes, but their function has remained elusive. Recent studies1–3 have examined the role of these noncoding RNAs in Hox gene regulation, and have generated a fierce debate as to whether the noncoding transcripts are important for silencing or activation. Here we review the evidence, and show that, by taking developmental timing into account, some of these apparently conflicting results can be resolved. We examine current models that explain these data and explore alternative interpretations. BioEssays 30:110–121, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.