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Review
. 2014 Mar 25:5:57.
doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00057. eCollection 2014.

Regulation of metabolism by long, non-coding RNAs

Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld  1 , Jens C Brüning  2
Affiliations
Review

Regulation of metabolism by long, non-coding RNAs

Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld et al. Front Genet. .

Abstract

Our understanding of genomic regulation was revolutionized by the discovery that the genome is pervasively transcribed, giving rise to thousands of mostly uncharacterized non-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs). Long, ncRNAs (lncRNAs) have thus emerged as a novel class of functional RNAs that impinge on gene regulation by a broad spectrum of mechanisms such as the recruitment of epigenetic modifier proteins, control of mRNA decay and DNA sequestration of transcription factors. We review those lncRNAs that are implicated in differentiation and homeostasis of metabolic tissues and present novel concepts on how lncRNAs might act on energy and glucose homeostasis. Finally, the control of circadian rhythm by lncRNAs is an emerging principles of lncRNA-mediated gene regulation.

Keywords: cell differentiation; glucose homeostasis; lncRNAs; metabolism and obesity; non-coding RNA (ncRNA).

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Schematic illustration of selected lncRNAs involved in the control of organ differentiation and development (e.g., CDR1as, Bvht, and linc-MD1), tissue homeostasis (e.g., Lnc-RAPs and HI-LNCs) and control of circadian rhythm (e.g., asPer2). For detailed description of lncRNA mode-of-action please refer to the main text.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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