Long non-coding RNAs: their role in diverse cellular pathways, metabolism and genomic stability

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) are ~200 nucleotide long RNAs molecules synthesized
by the cell from different regions across the genome, such as the intergenic and
intragenic(intronic) regions that do not encode protein. Nevertheless, they contribute to
a myriad of cellular activities, such as transcriptional regulation, animal development,
genetic integrity maintenance and tumor suppression. Importantly, abnormal levels of
expression of many lncRNAs and mutational alteration of their binding lead to
disruption of gene regulation and these are often linked to inflammatory diseases that
fall under neurologic, cardiovascular, and autoimmune disorders, rare genetic
diseases, and cancer. This makes them a significant topic to better understand cellular
processes. However, a great deal of information remains to be gathered on lncRNAs.
Further work will bring novel insights to the mode of action of lncRNAs that could
benefit both the basic and translational science identifying novel therapeutic options
and discovering potential drug-targets.

This special issue invites works on different aspects of the lncRNA biology, including
their synthesis, localization, spatiotemporal dynamics and functionalities. Major focus
will be on studies revealing the structure-function relationship and biochemical aspects
of lncRNA interactions with binding partners and the consequences of this binding on
key cellular mechanisms, such as the DNA-repair pathways, cellular differentiation and
proliferation. However, interdisciplinary approaches utilizing single cell techniques,
multi-omics approach and computational biology are also encouraged. Potential yet
non-exclusive areas of interest are as follows:
Interplay between lncRNA and key interactors like proteins, DNA and ensuing
chromatin modifications, its impact on transcription, cell viability and growth
● Studies on the relationship behind the lncRNAs regulation, dynamics and
diseases
● Development of new tools to broadly advance lncRNA studies.
● Identification of novel putative drug-targets.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Non-coding RNA, RNA-protein interaction & structure-function relationship, chromatin modification, genetic stability and regulation of gene expression, RNA based assays/techniques.