About this Research Topic
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are defined as RNA molecules that do not encode proteins. However, emerging evidence has proven that many ncRNAs, including lncRNAs and cirRNAs, can encode and express proteins/polypeptides with more than 50 amino acids. Researches also demonstrated that these proteins/polypeptides play essential roles with diverse biological functions, including tumor energy metabolism, cell development, muscle contraction and DNA repair. Thus, identification and characterization of the unrecognized proteins/polypeptides encoded by ncRNAs may contribute to a better understanding of biology and human health.
Following the development of deep ribosome sequencing and mass spectrometry, recent studies have identified that a subset of ncRNAs can encode proteins/polypeptides consist of more than 50 amino acids. These proteins/polypeptides may form a treasury box containing novel functional molecules related to human physiology and pathology. This research topic focuses on the identification and functional characterization of the proteins/polypeptides (with ≥ 50 AAs) encoded by ncRNAs, aiming to understand the mystery of non-coding gene expression better, serving as a forum for the discussion of gene annotation and the discovery of novel physiological and pathological molecules.
Research articles and Reviews in multiple disciplines of proteins/polypeptides (with ≥ 50 AAs) encoded by ncRNA. The scope includes but is not limited to the following subjects:
• Novel methods, tools, strategies of detecting the new or existed proteins/polypeptides encoded by ncRNAs.
• New software/database/pipelines for identifying the new or existing proteins/polypeptides encoded by ncRNAs.
• Deciphering the targets and functions of the proteins/polypeptides encoded by ncRNAs.
• Deciphering the mechanisms and signalling pathways involved by the proteins/polypeptides encoded by ncRNAs.
• Decoding the relationships between coding genes and “ncRNAs”.
• Studying the proteins/polypeptides encoded by ncRNAs as biomarkers and drug targets.
Keywords: Non-coding RNAs, polypepetides, proteins, peptides
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