Maternally Expressed Gene 3 (MEG3) is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that coordinates a diverse array of cellular processes requiring epigenetic regulation of genes and interactions with key signaling proteins and by acting as a competitive endogenous (ce)RNA. Epigenetic modifications driven by in utero nutrition affect MEG3 expression and its role in the development of multiple metabolic disorders. This review examines how epigenetic modification of MEG3 expression can confer adaptedness to different metabolic environments. To this end, we discuss how nutritional status that leads to an increase of MEG3 expression can protect against cancer and metabolic dysfunctions, while interventions that promote MEG3 downregulation minimize the pleiotropic costs associated with its expression. Lastly, we identify research directions that would further shed light on the role of MEG3 in metabolic regulation and in functional imprinted gene networks. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: ncRNA in control of gene expression edited by Kotb Abdelmohsen.

中文翻译：

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代谢程序设计中的母体表达基因3。

母体表达的基因3（MEG3）是一个长的非编码RNA（lncRNA），它协调需要表观遗传调控基因以及与关键信号蛋白相互作用并通过竞争内源（ce）RNA的各种细胞过程。子宫内营养驱动的表观遗传修饰影响MEG3表达及其在多种代谢性疾病发展中的作用。这项审查审查MEG3表达的表观遗传修饰如何可以赋予适应不同的代谢环境。为此，我们讨论了导致MEG3表达增加的营养状况如何预防癌症和代谢功能障碍，同时促进MEG3下调的干预措施将与其表达相关的多效性成本降至最低。最后，我们确定了研究方向，这些方向将进一步阐明MEG3在代谢调控和功能性印迹基因网络中的作用。本文是由Kotb Abdelmohsen编辑的名为“控制基因表达的ncRNA”的特刊的一部分。