Non-coding RNAs and their integrated biological networks.

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene expression by acting as transcriptional modulators, either via binding to specific stretches of DNA sequences/proteins, or by interacting with transcription factors. Previous genome scans often dismissed ncRNAs as transcriptional noise; recent studies have established them as critical regulators in cellular function, epigenetic alterations, and RNA stability, far exceeding beyond their originally perceived passive roles. In this chapter, we explore the regulatory functions of ncRNAs, the complex interplay between coding and non-coding gene networks, and review available in silico tools/methods for ncRNA identification, annotation and analysis. Moreover, we highlight key studies and case examples demonstrating how ncRNAs contribute to disease pathophysiology particularly focusing on cancer, and neurological disorders illustrating their functional and clinical significance.