Small Non Coding Rnas

The ‘RNA world’ hypothesis that proposed RNA molecules as the first form of genetic material was put forwarded in the late 1980s but got impetus only recently when high-throughput sequencing technologies began unearthing new types of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts in higher eukaryotes. Till then, research on ncRNAs were primarily confined to transfer RNAs and, ribosomal RNAs, which act as the messengers of the protein synthesis and allow translation of genetic information encoded by DNA into proteins. In recent years, the integration of high-throughput genomic technologies with molecular biology and omics sciences have revolutionized the fields of ncRNA research by identifying the hidden treasures of several new types of ncRNAs encoded in the genomes of several organisms and decrypting their versatile roles in gene expression and epigenetics. Among these, two small endogenous ncRNAs, namely microRNAs (miRNAs) and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that drive argonaute (AGO) family of proteins namely Ago and Piwi respectively and silence the expression of genes have geared up molecular and disease biology research in recent years. Both miRNAs and piRNAs are expressed in higher eukaryotes, including human and act as cellular rheostats by regulating the expression of significant fraction of genes encoded in the genomes. The aberrant expressions of these small ncRNAs within the cells cause various abnormalities and diseases including cancer. Manipulating their aberrant expression or function can serve as potential novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and bring in new therapeutic strategies for multiple human diseases. This can be further translated from bench-side to clinic for improving human health. This book captures the essence of the pioneering work of some of the world’s leading researchers showcasing the scientific excitements surrounding the evolving regulatory roles of miRNAs and piRNAs highlighting their potential towards the diagnosis and therapeutics of various diseases. The book is geared towards scientists, students, and will particularly appeal to active investigators in RNA biology, molecular biology, cancer research as well as clinicians and will provide them a comprehensive view of recent discoveries and research progresses to utilize miRNAs, piRNAs and their interacting proteins, Ago and Piwi for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics of diseases. Provides a unified cutting-edge resource for both miRNAs and piRNAs, two promising AGO-clade small ncRNAs, their functions and potential applications Showcase high-throughput technologies and other approaches for discovery of these small ncRNAs and their targets Unveils the diverse molecular mechanisms by which miRNAs and piRNAs regulate gene expression in animal cells Showcase recent discoveries on involvement of Argonaute and Piwi proteins in different biological processes and diseases as well as their possible use in diagnosis Report breakthroughs in the use of small ncRNAs for diagnosis and personalized therapy

The 'RNA world' hypothesis that proposed RNA molecules as the first form of genetic material was put forwarded in the late 1980s but got impetus only recently when high-throughput sequencing technologies began unearthing new types of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts in higher eukaryotes. Till then, research on ncRNAs were primarily confined to transfer RNAs and, ribosomal RNAs, which act as the messengers of the protein synthesis and allow translation of genetic information encoded by DNA into proteins. In recent years, the integration of high-throughput genomic technologies with molecular biology and omics sciences have revolutionized the fields of ncRNA research by identifying the hidden treasures of several new types of ncRNAs encoded in the genomes of several organisms and decrypting their versatile roles in gene expression and epigenetics. Among these, two small endogenous ncRNAs, namely microRNAs (miRNAs) and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that drive argonaute (AGO) family of proteins namely Ago and Piwi respectively and silence the expression of genes have geared up molecular and disease biology research in recent years. Both miRNAs and piRNAs are expressed in higher eukaryotes, including human and act as cellular rheostats by regulating the expression of significant fraction of genes encoded in the genomes. The aberrant expressions of these small ncRNAs within the cells cause various abnormalities and diseases including cancer. Manipulating their aberrant expression or function can serve as potential novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and bring in new therapeutic strategies for multiple human diseases. This can be further translated from bench-side to clinic for improving human health. This book captures the essence of the pioneering work of some of the world's leading researchers showcasing the scientific excitements surrounding the evolving regulatory roles of miRNAs and piRNAs highlighting their potential towards the diagnosis and therapeutics of various diseases. The book is geared towards scientists, students, and will particularly appeal to active investigators in RNA biology, molecular biology, cancer research as well as clinicians and will provide them a comprehensive view of recent discoveries and research progresses to utilize miRNAs, piRNAs and their interacting proteins, Ago and Piwi for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics of diseases.

Navigating Non-coding RNA: From Biogenesis to Therapeutic Application provides a concise overview of the field of non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Chapters cover the history of discoveries that have occurred in the area of ncRNA, specific types of ncRNA, housekeeping ncRNAs such as ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, small nuclear RNA and telomerase RNA, regulatory ncRNAs such as microRNA, small interfering RNA, long non-coding RNA and Y RNA. Biogenesis, structure, function, and regulation of each of these are also explored in addition to traditional and cutting-edge methods for the identification, functional characterization and structural characterization of ncRNA. The book also focuses on the different types of epitranscriptomic modifications and their involvement in regulating ncRNA structure, stability and intermolecular interactions in addition to the role of ncRNAs in a range of diseases and potential therapeutic applications. Covers a wide range of non-coding RNAs, including ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, telomerase RNA, microRNA, small interfering RNA and circular RNA Features both traditional and novel methodologies for investigating ncRNA, from microarray and conventional chemical probing to CAGE-seq and computational methods Includes chapters on ncRNAs in a range of diseases, including cancers, neurological disorders, cardiovascular conditions and infectious illnesses Discusses novel therapeutic strategies for targeting ncRNAs, including CRISP/Ca9 applications and RNAi-based strategies Explores the molecular mechanisms and intermolecular interactions of ncRNA

This volume contains state-of-the-art methods tackling all aspects of small non-coding RNAs biology. Small Non-Coding RNAs: Methods and Protocols guides readers through customized dedicated protocols and technologies that will be of valuable help to all those willing to contribute deciphering the numerous functions of small non-coding RNAs. Written in the highly successful Methods of Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and key tips on troubles troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Instructive and practical, Small Non-Coding RNAs: Methods and Protocols reaches out to biochemists, cellular and molecular biologists already working in the field of RNA biology and to those just starting to study small non-coding RNAs.

In the most recent years, each of the RNA silencing pathways of plants have appeared to generate ncRNAs with dedicated functions, specialized biological activities and specific functional scopes. RNA silencing plays a crucial role in coordinating the expression, stability, protection and inheritance of eukaryotic genomes. It compromises several mechanisms, that invariably depend on core small non coding RNAs and that achieve dedicated sequence-specific functions. RNA silencing has been recognized to carry critical developmental, stress-response and bodyguard functions be coordinating the expression, protection, stability and inheritance of virtually all eukaryotic genomes. Thus, the ncRNAs encompass a wide set of mechanisms that achieve specialized functions.

General inspection of a role performed in the cell by RNAs allows us to distinguish three major groups of transcripts: I. protein-coding mRNAs, II. non-coding housekeeping and III. regulatory RNAs. The housekeeping RNAs include RNA classes that are generally, constitutively expressed and whose presence is required for normal function and viability of the cells. On the other hand, a group of regulatory RNAs includes RNA species that are expressed at certain stages of organism development or cell differentiation or as a response to external stimuli and can affect expression of other genes on the levels of transcription or translation. Non-coding RNA transcripts form a heterogeneous class of RNAs that can not be characterized by a single specific function. Initially, the term non-coding RNA (ncRNA) was used primarily to describe polyadenylated and a capped eukaryotic RNAs transcribed by RNA polymerase II, but lacking long open reading frames. Now, this definition can be extended to cover all RNA transcripts that do not show protein-coding capacity and is sometimes used to describe any RNA that does not encode protein, including introns. This book is an in-depth look at the function of Non-Coding RNAs and their relationship to Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins. They are divided into two categories, namely, housekeeping ncRNAs and regulatory ncRNAs. The main function of the ncRNAs is to maintain the normal cell functionalities. Small RNAs, ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), long ncRNAs and transfer RNAs are some types of non-coding RNAs, which are abundant and functionally significant. Numerous types of small and long non-coding RNAs are considered important regulators of gene expression in a variety of processes, which range from embryonic development to innate immunity. This promotion of gene expression is done by a special ncRNA named enhancer RNA, which is transcribed from the enhancer region of the gene. The human genome is encoded with thousands of small and long RNA transcripts that do not code for proteins. This book explores all the important aspects of regulatory non-coding RNAs. It will prove to be immensely beneficial to students and researchers studying this topic.