The Epigenetic Roles of lncRNAs

Dear Colleagues,

Attention has recently increased toward long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) because of their capacity to impact gene expression through diverse epigenetic pathways, in both cis and trans functions. This is significant because it emphasizes the influence of lncRNAs on a wide range of biological processes, such as growth, specialization, the advancement of diseases, and reactions to environmental stimuli. Their tissue- and cell-specific expression patterns make them potential candidates for targeted interventions. The late 2010s saw developments in chromatin immunoprecipitation, genome-wide gene expression analysis, and next-generation sequencing technologies that enabled the identification of chromatin-associated functions of lncRNAs. Lately, emerging high-resolution single-molecule imaging and ultra-long-read sequencing technologies have opened up several avenues of research on lncRNAs’ role in epigenetic regulations.

Epigenetics is a dynamic and heritable modification that happens without respect for the DNA sequence and provides a variable level of control over gene expression. Numerous epigenetic mechanisms are regulated by DNA methylation and histone modifications orchestrated by lncRNAs. LncRNAs play a broad role in cellular function, from chromosome organization to extracellular and circulating signaling molecules. They engage in nuclear organization, such as maintaining chromatin architecture and heterochromatin, organizing topologically associated domains, chromatin loops, R-loops, chaperoning, and so on. Their critical roles in epigenetic regulation include genetic imprinting and serving as enhancer RNAs interacting with specific histone modification and transcription factors to modulate gene expression; therefore, understanding the interplay between lncRNA expression patterns, localization, and associated epigenetic signatures as well as function can provide us with the information required for developing a possible combination of biomarkers and therapeutic targets.    

In this Special Issue, “The Epigenetic Roles of lncRNAs”, for Genes, I am delighted to invite a compilation of articles exploring the epigenetic functions of lncRNAs. This Special Issue aims to investigate the many and developing functions of lncRNAs in influencing epigenetic processes, providing insight into their potential as essential controllers of gene expression and cellular function. The articles in this Special Issue will encompass various subjects, such as identifying and characterizing lncRNAs, their interactions with chromatin and chromatin-modifying complexes, and their role in epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation, histone modifications, imprinting, and chromatin remodeling. 

This Special Issue will provide an excellent resource for scholars and scientists to comprehend the complex connection between lncRNAs and epigenetic control. The compilation of publications in this Special Issue will thoroughly examine the present understanding of this swiftly developing and captivating domain. We anticipate that it will stimulate further research and cooperation in deciphering the epigenetic functions of lncRNAs.

Dr. Arun Kumar Ganesan
Dr. Gurdeep Singh
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• epigenetic regulation
• long non-coding RNAs
• chromatin organization
• histone modification
• biomarkers