Skip to main content

Non-Coding RNAs

Meaning

Non-Coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are functional RNA molecules that are transcribed from DNA but are not subsequently translated into proteins, representing a significant portion of the human genome’s transcriptional output. These molecules, which include microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and others, play crucial regulatory roles in gene expression, chromatin structure, and post-transcriptional modification. Their activity is vital for cellular differentiation, stress response, and the fine-tuning of hormonal signaling pathways. Dysregulation of ncRNAs is increasingly linked to disease states.