Axon-enriched lincRNA ALAE is required for axon elongation via regulating local mRNA translation

Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) are critical regulators involved in diverse biological processes. However, the roles and related mechanisms of lincRNAs in axon development are largely unknown. To seek the axon-enriched lincRNAs in DRG neurons, we performed high-throughput RNA-seq of cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons at P0 to profile lincRNAs. Profiling of highly expressed lincRNAs in RNA-seq and their enrichment in the axon of DRG neurons. We report a previously unappreciated axon-enriched lincRNA regulating axon elongation, thus referred to as ALAE. ALAE functionally associates with KHSRP for preventing KHSRP binding on Gap43 mRNA, thereby maintaining GAP43 synthesis and facilitating axon elongation. Overall design: RNA-seq of P0 dorsal ganglion root neurons