Aims and scope

Manuscripts focusing on differential RNA expression levels (coding or non-coding) or on RNA modifications cannot be considered for publication in Clinical Epigenetics since these aspects are not part of epigenetics per se.

In general, non-coding RNAs affect their target genes at the RNA level, which classifies these molecules as post-transcriptional gene expression regulators. The chromatin effects induced by some ncRNA do not yet justify this, to be included as a general mechanism of action of non-coding RNAs. Similarly, although modifications of RNA molecules resemble modifications of DNA or histone proteins, so do post-translational modifications of non-chromatin proteins. As such, RNA modifications are a novel class of markers, but they are not different from general posttranslational protein modifications (which also are not considered part of epigenetics).

For manuscripts on non-coding RNAs or RNA modifications to be considered for publication in Clinical Epigenetics, the authors must provide at least one of the following:

• data on the molecular epigenetic regulation of the expression of non-coding RNA (or its modifying enzymes); or
• insights on the mechanism of action of the non-coding RNA on the chromatin and/or functioning of the DNA; or
• insights in mitotic stability of the RNA-induced effect.

Manuscripts reporting on straightforward bioinformatic analyses of publicly accessible databases only, cannot be considered for publication in Clinical Epigenetics, unless the manuscript presents:

• new insights with well-described strong clinical impact and/or
• additional insights into biological mechanisms (“wet-lab” validations) and/or
• validations of findings in a replication cohort.