Open AccessLong non-coding RNAs in stem cells and cancer
Author(s) -
Gabriel Eades,
Yongshu Zhang,
Qinglin Li,
Ji-Xiang Xia,
Yuan Yao,
Qun Zhou
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
world journal of clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2218-4333
DOI - 10.5306/wjco.v5.i2.134
Subject(s) - transcriptome , computational biology , non coding rna , gene , long non coding rna , biology , genome , microrna , rna , function (biology) , genetics , bioinformatics , gene expression
An overwhelming majority of the transcribed genome encodes for non-coding RNA (ncRNA) sequences. Deep sequencing of the transcriptome has uncovered tens of thousands of long ncRNA (lncRNA) sequences. However, little is known regarding the possible functions for a vast majority of these sequences. Among those lncRNAs whose function has been experimentally validated, most serve as regulators of gene expression. LncRNAs have been found to be critical to development and homeostasis and they have been implicated in several pathologies including cancer. Here, we examine the functions and underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in stem cells and in cancer biology, areas linked by the actions of lncRNAs.