Newswise — RNA acts as the intermediary between genes and proteins, but the function of pieces of RNA that do not code for protein has, historically, been less clear. Researchers have ignored these noncoding RNAs until recently for not complying with the central dogma of biology — that a straight line runs from gene to RNA (transcription) to protein (translation). However, noncoding RNAs are emerging as important regulators of diverse cellular processes with implications for numerous human disorders.

Extensive research has already examined the function of microRNAs, a category of small evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNAs about 22 to 24 nucleotides in length that target protein-coding genes in a sequence-specific manner. A plethora of microRNAs are important for brain function and neuropsychiatric diseases, including autism.

Read the full article here: http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/viewpoint/2014/no-longer-junk-role-of-long-noncoding-rnas-in-autism-risk

MEDIA CONTACT
Register for reporter access to contact details
CITATIONS

Front Psychiatry, Apr-2012; Nat Rev Neurosci, Jul-2012; Neuroscience, Apr-2013; Nat Struct Mol Biol, Mar-2013; Wiley Interdiscip Rev RNA, Dec-2013; Sci Transl Med, Apr-2012; J Mol Neurosci, Mar-2013; RNA Biol, Jul-2013; Hum Mol Genet, Dec-2007; Hum Genet, Jun-2008; Genomics, May-2001; Dev Biol, Oct-2005; Sci Transl Med, Sep-2010; Genomics, Sep-2002; Hum Mol Genet, May-1999; Nat Genet, Jun 2008; EMBO J, Sep-2010; Cell Signal, May-2014; Life Sci, Mar 2010; Genetics, Nov-2012; Mol Psychiatry, Apr-2013; Cereb Cortex, Mar-2011; Neuroscientist, Oct-2008; J Neurochem, Dec-2012; Nature, May-2010; EMBO J, Feb-2012; Elife, Dec-2013; Nat Neurosci, Aug-2009