The 18 kDa translocator protein, non-coding RNA, and homeostasis

Against the challenges and perturbations in their environment and physiology, biological systems are characterized by active maintenance of their homeostasis. The 18 kDa mitochondrial translocator proteins (TSPO) as well as non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play roles in homeostatic functions. The molecular responses to maintain health and counteract diseases, including insulting conditions such as injury and pathogen infection, involve coordinated modulation of gene expression programs. Studies have shown that TSPO knockdown and its ligands can regulate expression of numerous genes for proteins as well as ncRNAs. ncRNAs function directly as structural, catalytic, or regulatory molecules and thereby present a complexity as diverse as proteins and their various functions. This includes a diverse and interrelated range of regulatory and functional roles in transcriptional, post transcriptional, epigenetic, and nuclear processes. In this review, we give an overview of the diverse and potential interactions of ncRNAs and TSPO that may contribute to homeostasis of the organism. In this context, TSPO upregulation has been connected to several diseases, including cancer, neuronal damage, neurodegeneration, and inflammation. Moreover, TSPO ligands can serve to counteract such diseases. The same is true for ncRNAs, as targets as well curative agents. It is tempting to suggest that interactions between TSPO and ncRNAs may contribute to homeostasis of the organism.