Article

Antisense transcription: a critical look in both directions.

Molecular Biology Lab, Medical Clinic, Department of Sports Medicine, University of Tuebingen, Wilhelmstr. 31, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany.
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS (impact factor: 6.57). 10/2008; 66(1):94-112. DOI:10.1007/s00018-008-8381-y pp.94-112
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT The mammalian genome contains a large layer of hidden biological information. High-throughput methods have provided new insights into the regulatory networks that orchestrate the "when, where and how" of gene expression, revealing a complex interplay between proteins, regulatory RNAs, and chemical and structural alterations of the genome itself. Naturally occurring antisense transcription has been considered as an important feature in creating transcriptional and hence cellular and organismal complexity. Here, we review the current understanding of the extent, functions and significance of antisense transcription. We critically discuss results from genome-wide studies and documented examples of individual antisense transcripts. So far, the regulatory potential of gene overlaps has been demonstrated only in a few selected cases of experimentally characterized antisense transcripts. Facing the large-scale antisense transcription observed in eukaryotic genomes, it still remains an open challenge to distinguish transcriptional noise from biological function of gene overlapping patterns.

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Keywords

antisense transcription
 
antisense transcripts
 
cellular
 
current understanding
 
distinguish transcriptional noise
 
documented examples
 
eukaryotic genomes
 
gene expression
 
gene overlapping patterns
 
gene overlaps
 
genome
 
genome-wide studies
 
High-throughput methods
 
individual antisense transcripts
 
large layer
 
large-scale antisense transcription
 
mammalian genome
 
proteins
 
selected cases
 
transcriptional
 

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