# The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Human Endoderm Differentiation

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how long non-coding RNAs influence human endoderm differentiation during development.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the emerging roles of lncRNAs in endoderm differentiation mechanisms.

## Key findings

- lncRNAs play key roles in endoderm differentiation through interactions with transcription factors and signaling pathways.
- Recent studies have begun to uncover how lncRNAs regulate cell fate decisions during germ layer formation.
- Understanding lncRNA functions in endoderm development could lead to discoveries of novel regulatory elements.

## Abstract

The human genome sequencing revealed a vast complexity of transcripts, with over 80% of the genome being transcribed into non-coding RNAs. In particular, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of various cellular processes, including embryonic development and stem cell differentiation. Despite extensive efforts to identify and characterize lncRNAs, defining their mechanisms of action in state-specific cellular contexts remains a significant challenge. Only recently has the involvement of lncRNAs in human endoderm differentiation of pluripotent stem cells begun to be addressed, creating an opportunity to explore the mechanisms by which lncRNAs exert their functions in germ layer formation, lineage specification, and commitment. This review summarizes current findings on the roles of lncRNAs in endoderm differentiation, highlighting the functional mechanisms and regulatory aspects underlying their involvement in cell fate decisions leading to endoderm development. The key lncRNAs implicated in endoderm differentiation are discussed, along with their interaction with transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins and modulation of signaling pathways essential for endoderm development. Gaining insight into the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in endoderm differentiation enhances the understanding of developmental biology and provides a foundation for discovering novel lncRNAs involved in cell fate determination.