Review Volume 16, Issue 4 pp 4052—4073

Figure 2. Molecular functions of lncRNAs. (A) Signal lncRNA. The main function of a signal lncRNA is to serve as a molecular signal to regulate the transcription of certain genes in response to various stimuli, such as transcription factors or chromatin modifiers. (B) Guide lncRNA. Guide lncRNAs interact with chromatin-modifying enzymes and direct them to the specific genomic location to regulate gene expression. (C) Decoy lncRNA. Decoy lncRNAs bind to microRNAs or transcription factors to sequester them away from their targets, affecting transcription and translation. (D) Scaffold lncRNA. lncRNAs can act as dynamic scaffolds for multiple-component complexes, such as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes to transiently assemble and affect histone modifications.