The long non-coding RNA LINC00941 modulates MTA2/NuRD occupancy to suppress premature human epidermal differentiation

Numerous long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were shown to have functional impact on cellular processes, such as human epidermal homeostasis, but for only a few the mode of action has been elucidated. Here, we report that lncRNA LINC00941 controls keratinocyte differentiation on a global level through association with the MTA2/NuRD complex, one of the major chromatin remodelers in cells. LINC00941 was found to interact with NuRD-associated MTA2, suppressing the expression of the transcription factor EGR3, a regulator of epidermal differentiation. Both LINC00941 and the MTA2/NuRD complex are enriched in non-differentiated keratinocytes and repress the expression of differentiation genes through epigenetic silencing of EGR3, consequentially preventing premature differentiation of human progenitor cells.