LincRNA-p21: Implications in Human Diseases

• Main Authors: Sai-Sai Tang, Bi-Ying Zheng, Xing-Dong Xiong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2015-08-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: long non-coding RNA; lincRNA-p21; gene regulation; diseases
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/16/8/18732

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which lack significant protein-coding capacity, regulate various biological processes through diverse and as yet poorly understood molecular mechanisms. However, a number of studies in the past few years have documented important functions for lncRNAs in human diseases. Among these lncRNAs, lincRNA-p21 has been proposed to be a novel regulator of cell proliferation, apoptosis and DNA damage response, and involved in the initiation and progression of human diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of lincRNA-p21, mainly focus on the known biological functions and its underlying mechanisms. Moreover, we highlight the growing body of evidences for the importance of lincRNA-p21 in diverse human diseases, which indicate lincRNA-p21 as a potential diagnostic marker and/or a valuable therapeutic target for these diseases.