Comparative Transcriptomics Analyses across Species, Organs, and Developmental Stages Reveal Functionally Constrained lncRNAs.

ABSTRACT: The functionality of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is disputed. In general, lncRNAs are under weak selective pressures, suggesting that the majority of lncRNAs may be nonfunctional. However, although some surveys showed negligible phenotypic effects upon lncRNA perturbation, key biological roles were demonstrated for individual lncRNAs. Most lncRNAs with proven functions were implicated in gene expression regulation, in pathways related to cellular pluripotency, differentiation, and organ morphogenesis, suggesting that functional lncRNAs may be more abundant in embryonic development, rather than in adult organs. To test this hypothesis, we perform a multidimensional comparative transcriptomics analysis, across five developmental time points (two embryonic stages, newborn, adult, and aged i

SUBMITTER: Darbellay F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6984365 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature