Transcriptional Gene Silencing Through Epigenetic Changes Mediated by Non-coding RNAs

Overview

Journal Curr Opin Mol Ther

Specialties Molecular Biology
Pharmacology

Date 2010 Apr 8

PMID 20373265

Citations 46

Authors

Barbora Malecova

Kevin V Morris

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

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