Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate a diverse array of cellular processes at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. Accumulating evidence suggests that lncRNA MEG3 exerts a large repertoire of regulatory functions in cellular stemness. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNA MEG3 functions as a signal, scaffold, guide, and decoy for multi-lineage differentiation and even cancer progression. The role of MEG3 in various types of stem cells and cancer stem cells is discussed. Here, we provide an overview of the functional versatility of lncRNA MEG3 in modulating pluripotency, differentiation, and cancer stemness.
Keywords: cancer stem cells; embryonic stem cells; long non-coding RNA MEG3; mesenchymal stem cells.