lncRNAs in Plant and Animal Sexual Reproduction

Agnieszka A Golicz; Prem L Bhalla; Mohan B Singh

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2017.12.009

lncRNAs in Plant and Animal Sexual Reproduction

Trends Plant Sci. 2018 Mar;23(3):195-205. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.12.009. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Authors

Agnieszka A Golicz¹, Prem L Bhalla¹, Mohan B Singh²

Affiliations

¹ Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
² Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: mohan@unimelb.edu.au.

PMID: 29395831
DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.12.009

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts over 200 base pairs in length with no discernible protein-coding potential. Multiple lines of evidence point to lncRNAs as master regulators, controlling the expression of protein-coding genes. Studies in plants and animals consistently show high expression of lncRNAs in reproductive organs in a cell- and tissue-specific manner. Sexual reproduction is a complex process that involves cell fate specification and specialized cell division requiring precise coordination of gene expression in response to intrinsic and extrinsic signals. The roles of lncRNAs as master regulators of gene expression and chromatin organization might make them particularly suited for coordination and control of molecular processes involved in sexual reproduction.

Keywords: gene expression regulation; lncRNAs; sexual reproduction.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Female
Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
Male
RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
RNA, Plant / genetics*
Reproduction / genetics
Reproduction / physiology*

Substances

RNA, Long Noncoding
RNA, Plant