In the most recent statistics from the GENCODE project (v29, October 2018), the human genome contains 23,643 non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes, surpassing the number of protein-coding genes (19,940). Of the non-coding RNA species, some 30% (7,577) are less than 200 bases long, termed as small non-coding RNA. They comprise of transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), as well as RNAs such as snoRNAs, microRNAs, siRNAs, snRNAs, exRNAs and piRNA. About 60% (16,066) of the non-coding RNAs are longer than 200 bases and are operationally designated as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).The functions of lncRNAs are still being characterized; their abundance and diversity add to the challenge. Some lncRNAs have been shown to regulate gene expression through a diversity of mechanisms and play important roles in chromatin modification (HOTAIR), transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation (ZEB2). Dysregulation of lncRNA is being found to have relevance not only in tumorigenesis, but also to neurological, cardiovascular, developmental and other diseases.

The discovery of a previously unknown universe of lncRNAs has created an unprecedented demand for effective RNA in situ hybridization tools. Unlike protein coding genes, for which immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RNA in situ hybridization are complementary for mapping gene expression to specific cells in situ, lncRNA expression can only be investigated by RNA in situ hybridization. The generally lower expression levels of lncRNAs than their protein coding counterparts demand the highest sensitivity from RNA in situ hybridization methods. The single-molecule sensitivity and rapid assay development time (<2 weeks) of ACD’s RNAscope™ technology make RNAscope™ ideally suited for localizing lncRNAs expression to specific cell types and sub-cellular structures. RNAscope™ in situ assays will undoubtedly accelerate lncRNA research and become an indispensable tool for lncRNA-based molecular diagnostics.

Some of the available RNAscope probes for lncRNA listed below - Don’t see your gene of interest? RNAscope™ Made-to-Order Target Probes can be manufactured within 2 weeks for virtually ANY gene from ANY species in ANY tissue. Learn more at www.acdbio.com/target-probes-made-order

A reference list with all lncRNA publications can be found here