Non-coding RNAs: Old Molecules, New Functions Shifting Paradigms in Genomics?

摘要

Recent advance in DNA sequencing technologies are allowing deeper analyses of transcriptomes. The whole set of transcripts in eukaryotic cells (defined as the transcriptome) have been surveyed with a higher resolution showing that the majority of the genomic DNA is somehow transcribed in yeast, mice and human. These new transcripts might function as RNA and were named non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) mainly because they do not code for proteins. ncRNAs are not new in eukaryotic biology as exemplified by ribosomal RNA, transfer RNAs, and others. However, recent ncRNA classes have been described with diverse functions that range from control of gene expression to structural mechanisms. ncRNAs also play a role in different pathologies and have been considered as molecular biomarkers and drug targets.