Regulation of metabolism by long, non-coding RNAs

Our understanding of genomic regulation was revolutionized by the discovery that the genome is pervasively transcribed, giving rise to thousands of mostly uncharacterized non-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs). Long, ncRNAs (IncRNAs) have thus emerged as a novel class of functional RNAs that impinge on gene regulation by a broad spectrum of mechanisms such as the recruitment of epigenetic modifier proteins, control of mRNA decay and DNA sequestration of transcription factors. We review those IncRNAs that are implicated in differentiation and homeostasis of metabolic tissues and present novel concepts on how IncRNAs might act on energy and glucose homeostasis. Finally, the control of circadian rhythm by IncRNAs is an emerging principles of IncRNA-mediated gene regulation.