Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are potent regulators of gene expression and as such they are implicated in aethiology of a number of human diseases.

Schematic of the three main domains of AD pathogenesis. Top, APP is cleaved by α, β, and γ secretases; the generation and aggregation of amyloidogenic Aβ peptides outside of the cell leads to the formation of amyloid plaques. Bottom, the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein results in formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Right, amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles create a toxic environment characterized by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Key, top right

Role of RNA‐binding proteins in development of diabetes and diabetic complications.

Viral internal ribosomal entry sites.

Summary of CIRP Roles in Inflammation and Cancer. CIRP shuttles from the nucleus to the cytoplasm to bind the 3' UTRs of target mRNA to increase their translation. It is possible that CIRP can bind tumor promoting cytokines in certain contexts. CIRP in found extracellularly in patients with sepsis (likely through lysosomal secretion) where it binds the TLR‐4 MD2 complex, functioning as a DAMP and stimulating cytokine release from APCs. Also, CIRP increases I phosphorylation through an unknown mechanism. Arrows and boxes in black represent known roles from literature and red dashed arrows and boxes represent possible mechanisms or connections.