Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2023 Aug 09. 1-9
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely involved in cell proliferation, signal transduction and other biological activities, which are usually thought to have no protein coding ability. However, recent studies have suggested that the short open reading frames (sORFs) of some lncRNAs can encode functional small peptides (micropeptides). These micropeptides play important roles in calcium homeostasis, embryonic development and tumorigenesis, suggesting they may be used as potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Currently, bioinformatic tools as well as experimental methods such as ribosome mapping and in vitro translation are applied to predict the coding potential of lncRNAs. Furthermore, mass spectrometry, specific antibodies and epitope tags are used for validating the expression of micropeptides. Here, we review the physiological and pathological functions of recently identified micropeptides as well as research strategies for predicting the coding potential of lncRNAs to facilitate the further research of lncRNA encoding micropeptides.
Keywords: LncRNA; Mass spectrometry; Micropeptide; Ribosome profiling; sORF