The long noncoding RNA neuroLNC modulates neurotransmitter release interacting with a neurodegeneration-associated protein

The roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in synaptic transmission and neuronal development are emerging. Here we applied an integrated bioinformatic/biological screening strategy to identify lncRNAs that regulate synaptic vesicle release. We identified neuroLNC, a conserved neuron-specific nuclear lncRNA that modulates synaptic vesicle release, presynaptic calcium influx, neurite elongation and neuronal migration. In neurons neuroLNC interacts with a neurodegeneration-associated protein and tunes a set of presynaptic transcripts implicated in neurotransmitter release.