The potential of long noncoding RNA therapies

Tim R Mercer; Trent Munro; John S Mattick

doi:10.1016/j.tips.2022.01.008

The potential of long noncoding RNA therapies

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Apr;43(4):269-280. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.01.008. Epub 2022 Feb 10.

Authors

Tim R Mercer¹, Trent Munro², John S Mattick³

Affiliations

¹ Australian Institute for Biotechnology and Nanomaterials, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia. Electronic address: t.mercer@uq.edu.au.
² Australian Institute for Biotechnology and Nanomaterials, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
³ School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Biosciences, and University of New South Wales (UNSW) RNA Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 35153075
DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.01.008

Abstract

The human genome expresses vast numbers of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) that fulfil diverse roles in gene regulation, cell biology, development, and human disease. These roles are often mediated by sequence motifs and secondary structures bound by proteins and can regulate epigenetic, transcriptional, and translational pathways. These functional domains can be further optimised and engineered into RNA devices that are widely used in synthetic biology. We propose that natural lncRNA structures can be explored and exploited for the rational design and assembly of synthetic RNA therapies. This potential has been enabled by advances in the stability, immunogenicity, manufacture, and delivery of other RNA-based therapies, from which we can anticipate the pharmacological properties of lncRNA therapies that have not yet otherwise entered clinical trials.

Keywords: RNA therapies; developmental; long-noncoding RNAs; synthetic biology, disease.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Gene Expression Regulation
Genome, Human
Humans
RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics

Substances

RNA, Long Noncoding