Work

Transcriptional gene silencing through epigenetic changes mediated by non-coding RNAs.

Year: 2010

Type: review

Abstract: Chromatin remodeling guided by non-coding RNA (ncRNA) contributes mechanistically to the establishment of chromatin structure and to the maintenance of epigenetic memory. Various ncRNAs have been identified as regulators of chromatin structure and gene expression. The widespread occurrence of antisense transcription in eukaryotes emphasizes the prevalence of gene regulation by natural antisense transcripts. Recently, antisense ncRNAs have been implicated in the silencing of tumor suppressor genes through epigenetic remodeling events. Characterization of the antisense RNAs involved in the development or maintenance of oncogenic states may define ncRNAs as early biomarkers for the emergence of cancer, and could have a significant impact on the development of tools for disease diagnosis and treatment. In this review, current knowledge on the mechanisms of ncRNA-mediated transcriptional gene silencing in humans is discussed, and parallels between the establishment of a silent chromatin state mediated by siRNAs and long antisense ncRNAs are highlighted.

Source: PubMed

Authors: Barbora Malecová, Kevin V Morris

Institution: Scripps Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Awards: Transcriptional Gene Silencing of HIV and CCR5, Non-coding RNAs involved in HIV-1 Latency