The Role of RNA Regulation in Development and Disease

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "RNA".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 December 2024) | Viewed by 2692

Special Issue Editor


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State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
Interests: nonsense-mediated mRNA decay; stem cell biology; neurodevelopmental disorders
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression are essential for animals’ development and tissue homeostasis, the loss of which is associated with developmental disorders and diseases. In recent years, researchers have developed a great body of evidence on epigenetic, transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms for the safeguarding of proper gene expression. RNAs, including rRNAs, mRNAs, and tRNAs, work to decode genetic information and transfer it to proteins with diverse cellular functions. During this process, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), by recognizing specific sequence motifs in different RNAs, may impact the translation and stability of RNAs. Meanwhile, other RNA species (lncRNAs, circRNAs, etc.) may modulate the behavior of proteins through physical interactions with protein partners. Furthermore, RNA modifications and their writers, readers, and erasers have been found to determine the fate of RNAs and thus impact the fate of the cell as a whole; such findings represent a new frontier of research into RNA epitranscriptomics. Abnormalities in the regulation of aforementioned RNA dynamics and behaviors cause defects in cellular functions, contributing to various genetic disorders and degenerative diseases. The functions and mechanisms of RNA regulations during development and disease are less understood.

For this Special Issue entitled “The Role of RNA Regulation in Development and Disease”, we welcome the submission of new findings and cutting-edge reviews on RNA regulations and their biological functions. This SI will cover all areas of RNA- and RBP-related biology and biomedical studies conducted with cell lines, model species, and ethically approved human resources.

Prof. Dr. Tangliang Li
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • RNA epitranscriptomics
  • RNA-binding protein (RBP)
  • stem cells
  • self-renewal and differentiation
  • genetic disorders
  • degenerative diseases
  • cancer

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1107 KiB  
Article
Differential Gene Expression Associated with Idiopathic Epilepsy in Belgian Shepherd Dogs
by Nathan Kinsey, Janelle M. Belanger and Anita M. Oberbauer
Genes 2024, 15(11), 1474; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15111474 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1241
Abstract
Background: Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) disproportionately affects Belgian shepherd dogs and although genomic risk markers have been identified previously in the breed, causative variants have not been described. Methods: The current study analyzed differences in whole blood RNA expression associated with IE and with [...] Read more.
Background: Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) disproportionately affects Belgian shepherd dogs and although genomic risk markers have been identified previously in the breed, causative variants have not been described. Methods: The current study analyzed differences in whole blood RNA expression associated with IE and with a previously identified IE risk haplotype on canine chromosome (CFA) 14 using a transcriptomics RNA-seq approach. Results: MFSD2A and a likely pseudogene of RPL19, both of which are genes implicated in seizure activity, were upregulated in dogs with IE. Genes in the interferon signaling pathway were downregulated in Belgian shepherds with IE. The CFA14 risk haplotype was associated with upregulation of CLIC1, ACE2, and PIGN and downregulation of EPDR1, all known to be involved with epilepsy or the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusions: These results highlight the value of assessing gene expression in canine IE research to uncover genomic contributory factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of RNA Regulation in Development and Disease)
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Review

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17 pages, 857 KiB  
Review
Circular RNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Advances, and Innovations
by Zheng Yuan, Shaoyuan Huang, Xin Jin and Shanshan Li
Genes 2024, 15(11), 1423; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15111423 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 985
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as promising therapeutic targets due to their unique covalently closed-loop structures and their regulatory roles in gene expression. Despite their potential, challenges in circRNA-based therapies include ensuring stability, tissue specificity, and efficient intracellular delivery. This review explores the [...] Read more.
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as promising therapeutic targets due to their unique covalently closed-loop structures and their regulatory roles in gene expression. Despite their potential, challenges in circRNA-based therapies include ensuring stability, tissue specificity, and efficient intracellular delivery. This review explores the implications of circRNAs in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), providing an overview of their biogenesis, molecular mechanisms, and roles in disease pathology. In addition to discussing molecular features, this review highlights therapeutic advances, including small-molecule drugs targeting circRNAs, synthetic circRNA sponges, and innovations in drug delivery systems that enhance the effectiveness of these therapies. Finally, current challenges and future directions are addressed, emphasizing the need for continued research to fully unlock the therapeutic potential of circRNA-based strategies in cardiovascular medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of RNA Regulation in Development and Disease)
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