ABSTRACT
The discovery of new classes of non-coding RNAs has always been preceded or accompanied by technological breakthroughs, and these outstanding progresses in transcriptomics approaches enabled to regularly add new members to the list. From the first detection of tRNAs, through the revolution of miRNAs discovery, to the recent identification of eRNAs or the identification of new functions for already known ncRNAs, this introductive review provides a very concise historical and functional overview of most prominent small regulatory non-coding RNA families.
Subject(s)
RNA, Untranslated/classification , RNA, Untranslated/history , Animals , Gene Expression Regulation , History, 20th Century , Humans , Multigene Family , RNA, Untranslated/geneticsSubject(s)
Biomedical Research/history , Cardiology/history , Cardiovascular Diseases/history , Cardiovascular Diseases/genetics , Cardiovascular Diseases/physiopathology , Cardiovascular Diseases/therapy , Genetic Therapy/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , RNA, Untranslated/historySubject(s)
Biomedical Research/history , Cardiology/history , Genetic Therapy/history , Heart Diseases/history , RNA, Untranslated/history , Animals , Gene Expression Regulation , Heart Diseases/genetics , Heart Diseases/physiopathology , Heart Diseases/therapy , History, 21st Century , Humans , RNA, Untranslated/genetics , RNA, Untranslated/therapeutic use , RejuvenationABSTRACT
Ventura explores the biological functions of noncoding RNAs in cancer and development.
Subject(s)
Biomedical Research/history , Molecular Biology/history , RNA, Untranslated/history , Career Choice , Gene Expression Regulation , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Nucleic Acid Conformation , RNA, Untranslated/chemistry , RNA, Untranslated/genetics , RNA, Untranslated/metabolism , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
We now know that more of the DNA in eukaryotic cells is copied into RNA than previously had been thought. Many of these transcripts serve regulatory instead of template functions in gene readout. Some of these newly recognized RNAs come from regions of the genome that had heretofore been deemed "junk DNA," yet no one could answer the obvious question: if "junk," then why still around? Before memory fades, we should note that there were some reasonably well articulated ideas 30-40 years ago that anticipated these recent discoveries. It seems fitting to recall the prescience of those who first raised such unorthodoxy. They powerfully catalyzed progress.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation , Genome/genetics , RNA, Untranslated , DNA, Intergenic/history , Eukaryotic Cells , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , RNA, Untranslated/historyABSTRACT
This year, the Lasker Foundation recognizes Victor Ambros, Gary Ruvkun, and David Baulcombe for their pioneering work elucidating the role of short RNA species in the posttranscriptional regulation of eukaryotic gene expression.
Subject(s)
Awards and Prizes , Gene Expression Regulation , Molecular Biology/history , RNA, Untranslated/genetics , RNA, Untranslated/history , Animals , History, 20th Century , Massachusetts , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Plants/genetics , Plants/metabolism , RNA Interference , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism , RNA, Untranslated/metabolismABSTRACT
Large scale cDNA sequencing and genome tiling array studies have shown that around 50% of genomic DNA in humans is transcribed, of which 2% is translated into proteins and the remaining 98% is non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). There is mounting evidence that these ncRNAs play critical roles in regulating DNA structure, RNA expression, protein translation and protein functions through multiple genetic mechanisms, and thus affect normal development of organisms at all levels. Today, we know very little about the regulatory mechanisms and functions of these ncRNAs, which is clearly essential knowledge for understanding the secret of life. To promote this emerging research subject of critical importance, in this paper we review (1) ncRNAs' past and present, (2) regulatory mechanisms and their functions, (3) experimental strategies for identifying novel ncRNAs, (4) experimental strategies for investigating their functions, and (5) methodologies and examples of the application of ncRNAs.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation , RNA, Untranslated/genetics , Databases, Nucleic Acid , Dosage Compensation, Genetic , Gene Library , Genomic Imprinting , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , MicroRNAs/genetics , Protein Binding , Protein Biosynthesis , Proteins/genetics , Proteins/physiology , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , RNA, Untranslated/history , RNA, Untranslated/metabolism , Transcription, GeneticABSTRACT
The widespread occurrence of noncoding (nc) RNAs--unannotated eukaryotic transcripts with reduced protein coding potential--suggests that they are functionally important. Study of ncRNAs is increasing our understanding of the organization and regulation of genomes.