Human long noncoding RNAs are substantially less folded than messenger RNAs.

ABSTRACT: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) do not code for proteins but function as RNAs. Because the functions of an RNA rely on either its sequence or secondary structure, lncRNAs should be folded at least as strongly as messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which serve as messengers for translation and are generally thought to lack secondary structure-dependent RNA-level functions. Contrary to this prediction, analysis of genome-wide experimental data of human RNA folding reveals that lncRNAs are substantially less folded than mRNAs even after the control of expression level and GC% (percentage of guanines and cytosines), although both lncRNAs and mRNAs are more strongly folded than expected by chance. In contrast to mRNAs, lncRNAs show neither the positive correlation between folding strength and expression leve

SUBMITTER: Yang JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4379403 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature