LncRNAs: genetic and epigenetic effects in plants

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) transcribed from the eukaryotic genome play important roles in essential biological processes, transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation. LncRNAs act both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm, mostly in association with chromatin in the nucleus. LncRNAs appear to be important regulators of gene expression, gene regulation and genome stability. This review outlines the major types of plant lncRNAs, their genetic and epigenetic effects with a focus on plant lncRNA instances, and discusses the recent advances in our understanding of their mechanism of action.