Emerging roles of non-coding RNAs in gastric cancer: Pathogenesis and clinical implications

Figure 3 Functions of lncRNAs. Individual lncRNA transcription occurs at a specific time and place to integrate developmental cues, interpret cellular context, or respond to diverse stimuli. A number of lncRNAs bind to and titrate away transcription factors to activate or suppress gene expression (1, 2); some lncRNAs guide site-specific recruitment of chromatin-modifying complexes to genomic sites to induce epigenetic changes and regulate gene expression (3); several lncRNAs serve as scaffolds for chromatin-modifying complexes (4); some lncRNAs specifically interact with complementary mRNAs that modulate various processes of post-transcription, such as splicing, translation and degradation (5-7). A number of lncRNAs are able to alter protein localization, regulate protein activity, or act as components of protein complex (8-10). Some lncRNAs appear to generate small RNA precursors or function as miRNA sponges (11, 12).