Emerging roles for long noncoding RNAs in learning, memory and associated disorders

• Published in: Neurobiology of learning and memory Vol. 163; p. 107034
• Main Authors: Grinman, Eddie, Espadas, Isabel, Puthanveettil, Sathyanarayanan V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2019
• Subjects: Animals; Brain disorders; Cognition Disorders - metabolism; Gene expression; Hippocampus; Humans; Learning; Learning Disabilities - metabolism; Long non-coding RNAs; LTP; Memory; Memory Disorders - metabolism; RNA, Long Noncoding - metabolism; RNA, Long Noncoding - physiology; Synaptic plasticity; Learning; Long non-coding RNAs; Brain disorders; Memory; Synaptic plasticity; LTP; Gene expression; Hippocampus
• ISSN: 1074-7427; 1095-9564; 1095-9564
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.107034

•lncRNA expression and conservation patterns are distinct from those of mRNAs.•lncRNAs regulate the expression of genes important for learning and memory.•Aberrant expression of lncRNAs is related with disorders of memory. While protein-coding genes have been widely studied in learning and memory, the role of the non-coding genome has only recently been investigated. With advances in high throughput sequencing technologies and functional profiling methods, multiple long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been functionally and mechanistically linked with neurobiological processes related with learning and memory, as well disorders that lead to memory impairment. However, these macromolecules are still a subject of controversy and intense scrutiny regarding the proper criteria for determining their functionality and their evolution in the central nervous system. Recent studies have implicated multiple lncRNAs as critical regulators of gene expression in the central nervous system and mediate learning processes. In this review, we explore possible explanations for how lncRNAs are evolved in our central nervous system, discuss our current understanding of their involvement in learning and memory related disorders, and describe emerging tools for studying lncRNAs.