Shaping of genome by long noncoding RNAs

Abstract Major parts of the human genome correspond to noncoding regions that do not encode proteins. The primary function of the genome is to maintain and inherit the information on proteins that participate in the functional machineries of the cell, and thus the noncoding regions were considered to be inert. However, genomes are actually pervasively transcribed and produce a wide variety of noncoding RNAs. Recent cytogenomic studies have revealed that some long noncoding RNAs play crucial roles in shaping the chromatin organization, the latter being closely linked to its functions such as transcription. In this chapter, we first introduce the technologies to investigate interactions between RNA and DNA, followed by the various functions of noncoding RNAs, such as the recruitment of epigenetic factors and the formation of higher order chromatin structures. In addition, we discuss the potential of noncoding RNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for diseases.