# LncRNA-Encoded Micropeptides: Expression Validation, Translational Mechanisms, and Roles in Cellular Metabolism

## TL;DR

This review explores how micropeptides from long noncoding RNAs affect cellular metabolism and the challenges in studying them.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the biogenesis, detection, and metabolic roles of lncRNA-encoded micropeptides.

## Key findings

- LncRNAs can encode bioactive micropeptides that influence cellular metabolism.
- High-resolution translation profiling and MS-based techniques are key for identifying these micropeptides.
- Micropeptides modulate enzymatic activity and metabolic pathways, with implications in health and disease.

## Abstract

The discovery of functional micropeptides encoded by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has challenged the traditional view that these transcripts lack coding potential. With the advancement of high-resolution translation profiling combined with enhanced MS-based techniques, numerous lncRNAs have been found to harbor small open reading frames (sORFs) that give rise to bioactive micropeptides. These peptides participate in diverse biological processes, particularly in cellular metabolism, by modulating enzymatic activity and metabolic pathways. However, the identification and functional characterization of these micropeptides remain technically challenging due to their small size, low abundance, and the need for rigorous downstream validation studies. This review encompasses a comprehensive overview of the biogenesis of lncRNA-derived micropeptides, methodologies for detecting and validating their expression, the molecular mechanisms governing their translation, and their emerging roles in metabolic regulation. By integrating current findings and technological advancements, we highlight the potential physiological and pathological implications of these micropeptides and outline future research directions in the field.