Non-coding RNAs, epigenetics and complexity |
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Authors: | Costa Fabrício F |
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Institution: | Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Children's Memorial Research Center and Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, 2300 Children's Plaza, Chicago, IL 60614, USA. fcosta@childrensmemorial.org |
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Abstract: | Several aspects of epigenetics are strongly linked to non-coding RNAs, especially small RNAs that can direct the cytosine methylation and histone modifications that are implicated in gene expression regulation in complex organisms. A fundamental characteristic of epigenetics is that the same genome can show alternative phenotypes, which are based in different epigenetic states. Some of the most studied complex epigenetic phenomena including transposon activity and silencing recently exemplified by piRNAs (piwi-interacting RNAs), position effect variegation, X-chromosome inactivation, parental imprinting, and paramutation have direct or indirect participation of an RNA component. Conceivably, most of the non-coding RNAs with no described function yet, are players in epigenetic mechanisms that are still not completely understood. In that regard, RNAs were recently implicated in new mechanisms of genetic information transfer in yeast, plants and mice. In this review article, the hypothesis that non-coding RNAs might be the main component of complex organisms acquired during evolution will be explored. The question of how evolutionary theories have been challenged by these molecules in association with epigenetic mechanisms will also be discussed here. |
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Keywords: | LINE long interspaced repetitive element LTR long terminal repeat MITEs short miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements MPSS Massive Parallel Signature Sequencing ncRNAs non-coding RNAs piRNAs piwi-interacting RNAs rasiRNAs repeat-associated RNAs SINE short interspaced repetitive element |
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