Long noncoding RNA-mediated anti-apoptotic activity in murine erythroid terminal differentiation

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are differentially expressed under both normal and pathological conditions, implying that they may play important biological functions. Here we examined the expression of lncRNAs during erythropoiesis and identified an erythroid-specific lncRNA with anti-apoptotic activity. Inhibition of this lncRNA blocks erythroid differentiation and promotes apoptosis. Conversely, ectopic expression of this lncRNA can inhibit apoptosis in mouse erythroid cells. This lncRNA represses expression of Pycard, a proapoptotic gene, explaining in part the inhibition of programmed cell death. These findings reveal a novel layer of regulation of cell differentiation and apoptosis by a lncRNA.

Genome-Wide Analysis Uncovers Regulation of Long Intergenic Noncoding RNAs in Arabidopsis

“…Consistent with this view, knockdown of a group of lincRNAs in mouse embryonic stem cells disrupted pluripotency and/or altered expression levels of differentiation markers (Guttman et al, 2011). In addition, genetic mutations of human lincRNAs have been associated with diseases and pathophysiological conditions (Gupta et al, 2010;Hu et al, 2011;Zhu et al, 2011;Cabianca et al, 2012).…”

Flicr , a long noncoding RNA, modulates Foxp3 expression and autoimmunity

“…Some lncRNAs are dynamically expressed during development (33), and others are important for granulocyte homeostasis (e.g., Morrbid regulates myeloid cell lifespan) (34) or immune effector functions (e.g., Rmrp and Th17 cell function, NeST and IFNγ expression in T cells) (35,36). Consequently, lncRNAs influence the immunopathology of infections (NeST, Morrbid), endotoxic shock (lincRNA-EPS) (37), or gut inflammatory diseases (Rmrp, linc-13) (36,38).…”

Interplay of chromatin modifications and non-coding RNAs in the heart

“…Recent studies have also identified putative roles for over expressed lncRNAs in cancer (MALAT1 and HOTAIR) and Alzheimer disease (BACE1-AS), as well as reduced expression of lncRNAs in anemia (LincRNA-EPS) and Huntington disease (HTT-AS). [37][38][39][40] In addition to the general involvement of DNAbinding motifs that function in the recruitment of transcription factors, new roles for lncRNAs in mediating chromatin-protein interactions have recently been described. 20,41 Several lncRNAs have putative sequence motifs and structural domains implicated in protein association and interacting with specific gene targets.…”