Long noncoding RNA PCED1B-AS1 promotes erythroid differentiation coordinating with GATA1 and chromatin remodeling

Abstract. Erythropoiesis is a complex and sophisticated multi-stage process regulated by a variety of factors, including the transcription factor GATA1 and non-coding RNA. GATA1 is regarded as an essential transcriptional regulator promoting transcription of erythroid-specific genes—such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA). Here, we comprehensively screened lncRNAs that were potentially regulated by GATA1 in erythroid cells. We identified a novel lncRNA—PCED1B-AS1—and verified its role in promoting erythroid differentiation of K562 erythroid cells. We also predicted a model in which PCED1B-AS1 participates in erythroid differentiation via dynamic chromatin remodeling involving GATA1. The relationship between lncRNA and chromatin in the process of erythroid differentiation remains to be revealed, and in our study we have carried out preliminary explorations.