Page 21 - IBRO_RNA School_Abstract Book
P. 21
Long non-coding RNAs as major regulators in cells
S. C. Lakhotia
Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi (email: lakhotia@bhu.ac.in)
Non-coding RNAs (long and short) have now come out of the shadows of
‘selfish’ and ‘junk’ DNA concepts thanks to the numerous studies during the past
decade, which establish their ever-expanding diversity and roles in cell functions
at all stages of normal development, and under diverse pathological conditions
(Lakhotia et al . 2020, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330556527_
Non-coding_RNAs_ever-expanding_diversity_of_types_and_functions).
Taking example of our work on the lncRNA hsrω gene of Drosophila, I will exemplify
the diversity of cellular functions that one single lncRNA gene can regulate. Many
lncRNA, including the hsrω gene’s nuclear transcripts also play key roles in bringing
about phase-separation that is necessary for organization of many membraneless
organelles in cells. Many lncRNAs have been implicated in normal differentiation
as well as pathogenesis of the nervous systems in diverse organisms, including
humans.
