Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that do not encode proteins, andin recent years they have attracted attention for their roles in the multilayered regulation of gene expression. Initially considered as “transcriptional noise” of the genome, they have since been shown to function across a wide spectrum of processes, from epigenetic modifications to post-transcriptional regulation. Classified according to their structural diversity and genomic location, LncRNAs stand out for their functional flexibility in molecular regulatory mechanisms. Recent studies have revealed that these molecules serve as key regulators in fundamental biological processes such ascell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune regulation. This functional diversity highlights their potentialas biomarkers and therapeutic targets in various diseases. However, their lack of evolutionary conservation, low expression levels, and complex secondary structures continue to pose challenges for functional characterization. With the advancement of biotechnological tools and multi-omics approaches, these limitations are expected to be overcome, and LncRNAs are anticipated to become central to both basic research and clinical investigations in the coming years. Keywords: long non-coding RNA, gene expression, epigenetic regulation