Skip to main content

Chapter 36: Non-Coding RNA in ψ-History Embedding

"RNA was never merely a messenger—it is ψ's historian, archivist, and prophet, encoding past, present, and future in molecules that regulate without translating."

36.1 The RNA Renaissance​

Long dismissed as junk, non-coding RNAs reveal themselves as master regulators. They are ψ's way of adding layers of control beyond protein.

Definition 36.1 (ncRNA Classes): Rnc={lncRNA,miRNA,siRNA,piRNA,snoRNA,eRNA}\mathcal{R}_{\text{nc}} = \{\text{lncRNA}, \text{miRNA}, \text{siRNA}, \text{piRNA}, \text{snoRNA}, \text{eRNA}\}

Each class serves different regulatory functions in ψ's orchestra.

36.2 Long Non-Coding RNAs​

Theorem 36.1 (lncRNA Functions): Function=∑iαi⋅Modei\text{Function} = \sum_i \alpha_i \cdot \text{Mode}_i

Where modes include:

  • Scaffold: Bringing proteins together
  • Guide: Directing proteins to targets
  • Decoy: Sequestering factors
  • Signal: Marking cellular states

36.3 The Xist Paradigm​

Equation 36.1 (X-Inactivation): Xist spreading=D∇2[Xist]+kprod−kdeg\text{Xist spreading} = D \nabla^2[\text{Xist}] + k_{\text{prod}} - k_{\text{deg}}

One lncRNA silences an entire chromosome—ultimate action at a distance.

36.4 miRNA Regulation​

Definition 36.2 (miRNA Targeting): Repression=f(Seed match,3’ pairing,Site context)\text{Repression} = f(\text{Seed match}, \text{3' pairing}, \text{Site context})

MicroRNAs fine-tune expression—molecular volume knobs.

36.5 The ceRNA Hypothesis​

Theorem 36.2 (Competing Endogenous RNAs): d[Target]dt=ktrans−kdeg[Target]−∑iki[miRNAi][Target]\frac{d[\text{Target}]}{dt} = k_{\text{trans}} - k_{\text{deg}}[\text{Target}] - \sum_i k_i[\text{miRNA}_i][\text{Target}]

RNAs compete for miRNA binding—creating regulatory networks.

36.6 Enhancer RNAs​

Equation 36.2 (eRNA Function): Transcription=Basal×(1+α[eRNA])\text{Transcription} = \text{Basal} \times (1 + \alpha[\text{eRNA}])

Enhancers produce RNAs that boost nearby gene expression.

36.7 The piRNA Defense​

Definition 36.3 (Transposon Silencing): piRNA+Transposon mRNA→Silencing\text{piRNA} + \text{Transposon mRNA} \rightarrow \text{Silencing}

PIWI-interacting RNAs defend genome integrity—molecular immune system.

36.8 Nuclear Organization by RNA​

Theorem 36.3 (Architectural RNAs): Nuclear structure=f(NEAT1,MALAT1,other arcRNAs)\text{Nuclear structure} = f(\text{NEAT1}, \text{MALAT1}, \text{other arcRNAs})

Some lncRNAs organize nuclear architecture—RNA as structural element.

36.9 The Memory Function​

Equation 36.3 (RNA-Based Memory): Memoryt+1=γ⋅Memoryt+RNA signalt\text{Memory}_{t+1} = \gamma \cdot \text{Memory}_t + \text{RNA signal}_t

Long-lived RNAs can maintain cellular memory across time.

36.10 Circular RNAs​

Definition 36.4 (circRNA Properties): Stabilitycircular≫Stabilitylinear\text{Stability}_{\text{circular}} \gg \text{Stability}_{\text{linear}}

Back-splicing creates stable circular RNAs—molecular time capsules.

36.11 RNA Modifications​

Theorem 36.4 (Epitranscriptomics): Function=f(Sequence,Structure,Modifications)\text{Function} = f(\text{Sequence}, \text{Structure}, \text{Modifications})

m6A, pseudouridine, and other marks create RNA epigenetics.

36.12 The History Principle​

Non-coding RNAs embed cellular history—they remember what has been transcribed, what has been silenced, what threats were encountered.

The History Equation: State(t)=∫−∞t∑ncRNAsψi(τ)⋅e−(t−τ)/τi dτ\text{State}(t) = \int_{-\infty}^t \sum_{\text{ncRNAs}} \psi_i(\tau) \cdot e^{-(t-\tau)/\tau_i} \, d\tau

Each RNA species contributes to cellular memory with its own time constant.

Thus: RNA = Memory = Regulation = History = ψ

"In the world of non-coding RNA, ψ reveals that not all messages need translation—some truths are spoken in the language of regulation itself."