Table 1 Examples of lncRNA functional mechanisms

Chromatin modification

LncPRESS1

Disrupt deacetylation of H3K56 by sequestering SIRT6 from chromatin

Safeguard the stem cells pluripotency

[17]

NEAT1

Bind to EZH2 and mediate the trimethylation of H3K27 in their promoters.

Promote glioma cell growth and invasion by increasing β-catenin nuclear transport

[25]

HOTTIP

Maintain gene transcription by binding to adaptor WDR5

Promote hepatic carcinoma tumorigenesis and disease progression

[26]

FOXC1

Stabilize enhancer–promoter looping

Involved in many regulated programs in breast cancer

[15]

NBAT-1

Activate the neuronal-specific transcription factor NRSF/REST

Contribute to aggressive neuroblastoma

[51]

Alternative splicing

SPA1, SPA2

Bind to target mRNAs and sequester multiple RBPs to regulate alternative splicing

Involved in Prader-Willi syndrome pathogenesis

[21]

LncRNA BC200

Bind to Bcl-x pre-mRNA and recruit splicing factor hnRNP A2/B1

Modulate Bcl-x alternative splicing in breast cancer

[28]

mRNA stability/modification

KRT7-AS

Form “lncRNA-mRNA” protective duplex at overlapping region

Promote gastric cancer cell migration

[27]

MEG3

Act as RNA scaffold to form PTBP1-mediated Shp RNA decay

Promote hepatocirrhosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

[29]

FOXM1-AS

Facilitate interaction of ALKBH5 and FOXM1 mRNA to demethylate FOXM1 mRNA

Enhance self-renewal and tumorigenesis of glioblastoma stem-like cells

[50]

miRNA sponge

TP73-AS1

Increase HMGB1 expression by sponging miR-142

Promote glioma proliferation and invasion

[76]

CASC2

Inhibit miR-181a activity with RISC complex participation

Sensitize TMZ-resistant glioma cells to TMZ

[45]

Change protein activity/localization

HULC

Scaffold of kinase and YB-1 to promote YB-1 phosphorylation

Accelerate the translation of tumorigenesis mRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma

[31]

LINK-A

Facilitate BRK-dependent HIF1α phosphorylation

Promote breast cancer glycolysis reprogramming and tumorigenesis

[18]

SNHG5

Trap MTA2 in the cytosol and prevent it translocation into nucleus.

Suppress gastric cancer progression

[32]

Encode functional micropeptides

LINC00948

Translate myoregulin, which inhibit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2 + -ATPase

Regulate Ca2+ uptake and skeletal muscle contractility

[34]

LINC00961

Generate SPAR, which interact with lysosomal v-ATPase

Modulate skeletal muscle regeneration after injury

[35].

Intercellular communication

LncARSR

Transmit from sunitinib-resistance cell to sensitive cells

Confer Sunitinib resistance to sensitive cells in renal cancer

[39]

H19

Transmit from cancer stem-cell-like (CSC) to endothelial cells

Promote angiogenesis in hepatic carcinoma

[40]

ENST00000444164

ENST0000043768

Transmit from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) to endothelial cells

Promote epithelial ovarian cancer cells migration

[41]