Long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs) and the molecular hallmarks of aging

Abstract

During aging, progressive deleterious changes increase the risk of disease and death. Prominent molecular hallmarks of aging are genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in a wide range of biological processes, including age-related diseases like cancer, cardiovascular pathologies, and neurodegenerative disorders. Evidence is emerging that lncRNAs influence the molecular processes that underlie age-associated phenotypes. Here, we review our current understanding of lncRNAs that control the development of aging traits.

Figure 1. Schematic representation of lncRNAs affecting six major molecular traits of aging

The lncRNAs indicated have been implicated in controlling telomere length, epigenetic gene expression, proteostasis, the pool of stem cells, cell proliferation and senescence, and communication among cells.