The long noncoding RNA Malat1: Its physiological and pathophysiological functions

Recent studies suggest that in humans, DNA sequences responsible for protein coding regions comprise only 2% of the total genome. The rest of the transcripts result in RNA transcripts without protein-coding ability, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Different from most members in the lncRNA family, the metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (Malat1) is abundantly expressed and evolutionarily conserved throughout various mammalian species. Malat1 is one of the first identified lncRNAs associated with human disease, and cumulative studies have indicated that Malat1 plays critical roles in the development and progression of various cancers. Malat1 is also actively involved in various physiologic processes, including alternative splicing, epigenetic modification of gene expression, synapse formation, and myogenesis. Furthermore, extensive evidences show that Malat1 plays pivotal roles in multiple pathological conditions as well. In this review, we will summarize latest findings related to the physiologic and pathophysiological processes of Malat1 and discuss its therapeutic potentials.