Safari in the RNA world: a special issue focused on RNA biogenesis, functions, and technologies
Authors: Ya-Nan Chang, Hong Cheng
RNA is one of the most essential biopolymers in cells. According to the central dogma, messenger RNAs (mRNAs) transmit genetic information from DNA to proteins through a complex process, facilitated by key non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and transfer RNAs (tRNAs). In addition to these essential RNAs, a wide variety of ncRNAs have been discovered, each playing key roles in gene regulation and contributing to the complexity of the RNA landscape. All RNAs undergo intricate processing and modifications before maturation and transport to their respective cellular compartments, where they perform their functions. Regulation of these processes often results in the generation of multiple isoforms from a single gene, further diversifying the RNA landscape. Understanding the mechanisms of RNA biogenesis and the functional roles of RNAs in both physiological and pathological contexts is essential for unraveling how cells respond to developmental and environmental cues, with profound implications for biomedicine. This special issue features 12 expert reviews in RNA research, each offering a comprehensive summary of the latest advances in RNA biology from their respective perspectives.
