长链非编码RNA对心脏发育的表观遗传学调控研究进展

Progress on epigenetic regulation of long noncoding RNAs in cardiac development and heart diseases

长链非编码RNA（long noncoding RNA or large noncoding RNA,lncRNAs）是一类转录本长度超过200 nt的功能性RNA,存在于细胞核或胞质中。lncRNAs能调节生命过程中关键基因的表达,从而影响机体正常生理发育、功能维持和异常病理过程,如神经干细胞分化发育、心脏疾病发生、肿瘤形成等。

It was previously revealed that noncoding RNAs, especially microRNAs, control cardiac genes and regulate heart function. Recently, growing evidence from high-throughput genomic platforms has confirmed that long non- coding RNAs （lncRNAs） serve as new and enigmatic regulators in cardiac development and homeostasis. Nevertheless, lit- tle is known about their characteristics compared to microRNAs. Here, we review the latest progress on lncRNAs in cardiac biology and diseases, summarizing detailed knowledge of their functions and novel cardiac-related gene regulatory mecha- nisms in epigenetic processes. Finally, we highlight that lncRNAs could be promising therapeutic targets and diagnostic bi- omarkers in cardiac pathophysiology.