Genetic Variability of Regulatory RNAs
A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2024 | Viewed by 40
Special Issue Editor
Interests: PCR; real-time PCR; miRNA; electrophoresis; SNP; SNV; polymorphism; genetic variation; genetic association
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Although the principal function of our genome is to code for our proteins, it is well-known that it is only 1–2% of our DNA that really determines the primary structure of our polypeptide chains. On the other hand, studies based on RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, etc., have revealed that up to 80–90% of our genome is transcribed to some kind of RNA in some tissues. This points out the significance of several regulatory RNAs that play crucial roles in modulating gene expression and cellular processes without coding for proteins.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA molecules that modulate gene expression by connecting to the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of the target messenger RNAs, resulting in mRNA degradation or translational repression. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) possess a covalently closed loop structure. They can act as miRNA sponges, consequently inhibiting miRNA–mRNA interactions, thereby also fine-tuning gene expression. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a heterogeneous group of RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that do not encode proteins. They play a role in diverse regulatory mechanisms, including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, and protein activity modulation. LncRNAs can act as guides, scaffolds, or decoys for protein complexes, RNA-binding proteins, and other regulatory molecules. They play crucial roles in various biological processes, such as development, the immune response, and disease pathogenesis. The dysregulation of lncRNAs has been implicated in several diseases.
The complexity of the picture, as it is, is challenging, not to mention that genetic variations either in the coding region of the regulatory RNAs or in the binding site of these molecules can further modulate these complicated regulatory processes. This Special Issue intends to focus on these exciting pathways. Original research articles related to the importance, medical relevance, physiological function, and pathological function of the genetic variations (polymorphisms, mutations, SNPs, VNTRs, CNVs, etc.) related to regulatory RNAs are welcomed.
Dr. Zsolt Ronai
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- miRNA
- circRNA
- lncRNA
- regulatory RNA
- SNV
- miR-SNP
- VNTR
- CNV
