Upregulation of the long noncoding RNA lncPolE contributes to intervertebral disc degeneration by negatively regulating DNA polymerase epsilon.

ABSTRACT: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulators of gene transcription. Our previous results have demonstrated that iron deficiency accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) by affecting the stability of the DNA polymerase epsilon (Polε) complex. Here, we discovered that the novel lncRNA lncPolE functions as a negative regulator of Polε. The expression of lncPolE in IDD tissues was upregulated compared to its expression in healthy control tissues, and this was in contrast to the PolE1 expression levels. The increased lncPolE level was significantly correlated with the severity of IDD. Ectopic expression of lncPolE in human nucleus pulposus cells (hNPCs) was able to decrease PolE1 levels and cause apoptosis, while the specific knockdown of lncPolE in primary NP cells (p

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6556648 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature