Fig. 2

Schematic diagram of the modes of action of lncRNAs. a Signal lncRNAs are transcribed with spatiotemporal precision and expressed in response to developmental cues, concerting the combinatorial actions of transcription factors (shown as colored ovals) to regulate gene expressions. b Decoy lncRNAs act as competing endogenous RNA molecules that titrate away transcription factors or other proteins from the chromatin to exert functions like repressing the transcription of target mRNAs. c Guide lncRNAs recruit ribonucleoprotein complexes to target genes for chromatin modification. d Scaffold lncRNAs bring multiple enzymes together to form a chromatin-modifying complex that either suppresses or initiates transcription