Long Noncoding RNAs as Biomarkers in Cancer

Figure 1

Different mechanisms of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) action. (a) The lncRNAs can act as decoys, titrating away DNA-binding proteins (e.g., transcription factors); (b) lncRNAs may act as scaffolds to bring two or more proteins to spatial proximity or into a complex; (c) lncRNAs may act as guides to recruit proteins to DNA (e.g., chromatin modification enzymes); (d) lncRNA guidance can also be exerted through chromosome looping in an enhancer-like model in cis. lncRNA (red); DNA (black); section of DNA loop (yellow); DNA-binding proteins (blue and light blue). The figure is adapted from John L. Rinn and Howard Y. Chang [12].

(a) Decoy

(b) Scaffold

(c) Guide

(d) Enhancer