Long Non-coding RNA (LncRNA) Research

In recent years, research into long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has emerged as a captivating frontier in molecular biology, revealing intricately woven regulatory networks that govern gene expression. BOC Sciences is at the forefront of lncRNA research, offering comprehensive analysis services. We leverage expertise and cutting-edge technologies to unravel the mysteries surrounding these molecules, spanning from their fundamental characteristics to diverse biomedical applications.

What is LncRNA?

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules over 200 nucleotides long, lacking protein-coding functions. Initially considered "junk" RNA, they are now recognized as crucial players in cellular processes like chromatin remodeling and gene expression regulation. Despite lacking coding potential, lncRNAs have diverse functions and regulate gene expression in health and disease. They exhibit strong tissue and cell-type specificity, playing roles in development, pathology, and disease mechanisms. With advancing biotechnology, lncRNAs are a growing focus in life sciences, influencing gene expression, cell differentiation, tumor formation, inflammation, and disease.

LncRNA Types

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are classified into five types based on origin, orientation, and position: Intergenic, Intronic, Sense, Antisense, and Bidirectional. They have distinct functions depending on their source. For instance, Antisense lncRNAs can influence alternative splicing of their genomic locus's mRNA. Although less conserved overall than mRNAs, their core regions and promoter elements are relatively conserved, enabling them to adapt quickly while targeting functional goals effectively.

Sense lncRNA

These lncRNAs overlap with the positive strand RNA of adjacent genes, usually on the same chromosome and in the same transcriptional direction as the adjacent gene.

Antisense lncRNA

In contrast to Sense lncRNAs, these lncRNAs overlap with the negative strand RNA of adjacent genes, and their transcriptional direction is opposite to that of the adjacent gene.

Intronic lncRNA

These lncRNAs originate from the intronic regions within genes and can be formed through various splicing mechanisms.

Intergenic lncRNA

Also known as lincRNA (long intergenic non-coding RNA), these lncRNAs are located in the gene desert between two genes and typically do not overlap with known protein-coding genes.

Bidirectional lncRNA

A special type of long non-coding RNA has its transcription start site located in the promoter region of a gene, and it is transcribed in the direction of an adjacent gene. Simultaneously, it also has a corresponding transcription direction, and the RNA it produces overlaps with the mRNA or other lncRNA of the adjacent gene.

Figure 1. LncRNA classification according to their orientation and position in the genome. (G, Latgé.; et al, 2018)

LncRNA Functions

LncRNAs, despite lacking protein-coding potential, regulate gene expression, chromatin remodeling, and cell cycle. Heterogeneously expressed, they act at multiple levels, influencing transcription, protein modification, and disease onset. They primarily function in gene regulation by interacting with proteins, DNA, and various RNA types.

• Transcriptional Regulation: LncRNAs interact with DNA sequences, influencing gene transcription activity and cell gene expression patterns.
• Post-transcriptional Regulation: Some lncRNAs modulate splicing, mRNA stability, and ribosome binding, thereby controlling gene expression levels.
• Chromatin Remodeling and Modification: LncRNAs bind proteins, regulating protein localization and chromatin structure, thereby modulating gene accessibility and expression through epigenetic modifications.
• Encoding Micropeptides: Certain lncRNAs contain small open reading frames (sORFs) encoding functional micropeptides involved in diverse biological processes, offering potential therapeutic targets.
• Signal Transduction Regulation: LncRNAs can participate in cell signal transduction by interacting with protein signaling molecules, influencing their activity and distribution.
• Tissue Development Regulation: During tissue development, lncRNAs regulate embryonic development, organ formation, and tissue differentiation, affecting various biological processes.
• Disease Regulation: LncRNAs play crucial roles in diseases like tumors, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, influencing disease onset and progression.

BOC Sciences' LncRNA Research Services

At BOC Sciences, we offer state-of-the-art lncRNA research services to elucidate the expression patterns and functional roles of lncRNA in various biological contexts. Our comprehensive approach combines next-generation sequencing technologies with advanced bioinformatics analysis to provide insights into the complex landscape of lncRNA expression and regulation. Whether you are studying developmental processes, disease mechanisms, or therapeutic explorations, our lncRNA research services can help uncover novel insights into gene regulation and cellular function. BOC Sciences' lncRNA expert team can provide you with a full range of services from lncRNA screening and validation, lncRNA functional exploration, deeper target search, and expression and regulation mechanism exploration. BOC Sciences has successfully completed numerous lncRNA projects and has proven lncRNA-related experience.

More LncRNA Research Service for Your Choosing

Applications of BOC Sciences' LncRNA Research Services

The application of lncRNA research spans various fields, from basic biological studies to preclinical applications, offering new avenues for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. BOC Sciences is at the forefront of lncRNA research, providing cutting-edge services and solutions to support advancements in biomedical research and therapeutic development.

• Disease Biomarkers and Diagnostic Tools

Example. LncRNAs have shown promise as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic response prediction. Differential expression of LncRNAs in cancer tissues compared to normal tissues can serve as diagnostic indicators.

• Therapeutic Targets and Drug Development

Example. Targeting dysregulated LncRNAs holds potential for cancer therapy. LncRNAs involved in oncogenic pathways can be targeted using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing.

• Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy

Example. LncRNAs play critical roles in regulating stem cell pluripotency, differentiation, and tissue regeneration. Understanding the functions of tissue-specific LncRNAs can facilitate the development of regenerative medicine strategies.

• Drug Resistance Mechanisms

Example. LncRNAs contribute to chemoresistance in cancer by modulating drug efflux pumps, apoptosis pathways, and DNA damage repair mechanisms. Elucidating the roles of LncRNAs in drug resistance can guide the development of strategies to overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes.

• Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Remodeling

Example. LncRNAs participate in epigenetic regulation by interacting with chromatin-modifying complexes and regulating gene expression. Targeting LncRNAs involved in epigenetic modifications may offer novel therapeutic avenues for gene regulation.

• Functional Genomics and Systems Biology

Example. Integrating LncRNA expression profiles with transcriptomic and proteomic data can elucidate complex gene regulatory networks underlying cellular processes and disease states.

BOC Sciences recruited a professional research team of lncRNA experts with excellent technical skills, focusing on comprehensive lncRNA service to provide you with an integrated lncRNA research solution. And we have successfully completed numerous lncRNA projects and has proven lncRNA-related experience.

If you need detailed guidance on lncRNA topics/experiments, please contact us to learn more with BOC Sciences' lncRNA experts.

Case Study

Case Study 1 Exploring the Regulatory Role of ANRIL in Cardiovascular Disease Through LncRNA Databases

Figure 2. Types of information curated in lncRNA databases. (R, Frank.; et al, 2016)

With the growing interest in understanding the regulatory functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in complex human diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), researchers are increasingly relying on public databases for comprehensive and integrative data on these versatile molecules. In this case study, researchers focus on the prominent lncRNA known as antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL), which has been firmly linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). To analyze the regulatory role of ANRIL in CVDs, researchers can utilize various lncRNA databases that cover different aspects of lncRNA biology, including basic and functional annotation, LncRNA expression and regulation, interactions with other biomolecules, genomic variants influencing LncRNA structure and function. By leveraging these lncRNA databases and their functionalities, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of ANRIL's regulatory role in CVDs.

FAQ

1. What is non coding RNA?

Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) refers to a class of RNA molecules transcribed from DNA but not encoding proteins. Non-coding RNAs can be classified into different categories based on their size, structure, and function. Some well-known types of non-coding RNAs include transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), small nuclear RNA (snRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Each type of non-coding RNA plays specific roles in processes such as translation, RNA processing, gene regulation, chromatin modification, and cellular signaling.

2. Is RNA non coding?

RNA is a broad class of molecules that includes both coding and non-coding types. Non-coding RNA is a class of RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins. Coding RNAs, on the other hand, carry genetic information from DNA to ribosomes where it is translated into proteins.

3. Do lncRNA have poly A?

Yes, most long non-coding RNAs are polyadenylated, with a polyadenine (poly A) tail at their 3' end. Poly A structures are a common feature of RNA processing in eukaryotic cells, and are associated with RNA molecule stability and regulation. However, not all lncRNAs have polyadenylate tails. Some functional lncRNAs do not have polyadenylate tails, which affects the stability, localization, and function of these lncRNAs in the cell.

References

1. G, Latgé.; et al. Natural Antisense Transcripts: Molecular Mechanisms and Implications in Breast Cancers. Int J Mol Sci. 2018, 19(1): 123.
2. R, Frank.; et al. Long non-coding RNA Databases in Cardiovascular Research. Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics. 2016, 14(4): 191-199.

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Long Non-coding RNA (LncRNA) Research

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