TINCR is not a non-coding RNA but encodes a protein component of cornified epidermal keratinocytes

Exp Dermatol. 2020 Apr;29(4):376-379. doi: 10.1111/exd.14083. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs have been implicated in the regulation of a plethora of biological processes, yet it has been challenging to verify that they are truly not coding for proteins. Terminal differentiation-induced non-coding RNA (TINCR) is a 3.7-kilobase mRNA that is highly abundant in epidermal keratinocytes prior to cornification. Here, we report the presence of an evolutionarily conserved open reading frame in TINCR and the identification of peptides derived from this open reading frame in the proteome of human stratum corneum. Our results demonstrate that TINCR is a protein-coding RNA and suggest that the TINCR-encoded protein is involved in keratinocyte cornification.

Keywords: cornification; differentiation; epidermis; evolution; ubiquitin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Evolution
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Epidermal Cells / metabolism*
  • Epidermis / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / cytology*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptides
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Messenger
  • TINCR lncRNA, human
  • Ubiquitin