The Functions of Non-coding RNAs in rRNA Regulation

Ribosomes are ribonucleoprotein machines that decode the genetic information embedded in mRNAs into polypeptides. Ribosome biogenesis is tightly coordinated and controlled from the transcription of pre-rRNAs to the assembly of ribosomes. Defects or disorders in rRNA production result in a number of human ribosomopathy diseases. During the processes of rRNA synthesis, non-coding RNAs, especially snoRNAs, play important roles in pre-rRNA transcription, processing, and maturation. Recent research has started to reveal that other long and short non-coding RNAs, including risiRNA, LoNA, and SLERT (among others), are also involved in pre-rRNA transcription and rRNA production. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms of non-coding RNA-mediated rRNA generation and regulation and their biological roles.

核糖体是核糖核蛋白机器，它将信使核糖核酸（mRNAs）中包含的遗传信息解码为多肽。核糖体的生物发生从核糖体RNA前体（pre - rRNAs）的转录到核糖体的组装都受到紧密的协调和控制。核糖体RNA（rRNA）产生过程中的缺陷或紊乱会导致多种人类核糖体病。在核糖体RNA合成过程中，非编码RNA，尤其是核仁小RNA（snoRNAs），在核糖体RNA前体的转录、加工和成熟过程中发挥重要作用。最近的研究已经开始揭示其他长链和短链非编码RNA，包括核糖体干扰小RNA（risiRNA）、长非编码RNA - A（LoNA）和小核仁RNA转录延伸调控因子（SLERT）等，也参与核糖体RNA前体的转录和核糖体RNA的产生。在此，我们总结了目前对非编码RNA介导的核糖体RNA生成和调控机制及其生物学作用的理解。