The article discusses the unique features and functions of long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs). LincRNAs are defined as non-coding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides that do not overlap with annotated coding genes. They have diverse features and functions, including remodeling chromatin and genome architecture, RNA stabilization, and transcription regulation. Some lincRNAs contain small open reading frames (smORFs) and encode functional peptides, suggesting they should be classified as coding RNAs. LincRNAs fine-tune the expression of neighboring genes with tissue-specificity through various mechanisms, highlighting the evolving understanding of the non-coding genome. The authors provide an evolutionary perspective on lincRNAs, discussing their conservation patterns and functional roles across species. They compare lincRNAs with mRNA in terms of abundance, size, genomic localization, subcellular localization, transcriptional regulation, biogenesis, splicing, stability, epigenetic regulation, and tissue specificity. LincRNAs often exhibit tissue-specific expression and fine-tune gene expression through physical proximity, similar expression patterns, or shared phenotypic contributions. The functions of lincRNAs are diverse, including regulating chromatin topology, scaffolding proteins and RNAs, acting as protein and RNA decoys, and producing micropeptides. Some lincRNAs have been implicated in human disease pathogenesis and may serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The article concludes by discussing the potential for coding functions to evolve alongside non-coding functions, and the need for further research to understand the complex roles of lincRNAs in gene regulation and cellular processes.The article discusses the unique features and functions of long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs). LincRNAs are defined as non-coding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides that do not overlap with annotated coding genes. They have diverse features and functions, including remodeling chromatin and genome architecture, RNA stabilization, and transcription regulation. Some lincRNAs contain small open reading frames (smORFs) and encode functional peptides, suggesting they should be classified as coding RNAs. LincRNAs fine-tune the expression of neighboring genes with tissue-specificity through various mechanisms, highlighting the evolving understanding of the non-coding genome. The authors provide an evolutionary perspective on lincRNAs, discussing their conservation patterns and functional roles across species. They compare lincRNAs with mRNA in terms of abundance, size, genomic localization, subcellular localization, transcriptional regulation, biogenesis, splicing, stability, epigenetic regulation, and tissue specificity. LincRNAs often exhibit tissue-specific expression and fine-tune gene expression through physical proximity, similar expression patterns, or shared phenotypic contributions. The functions of lincRNAs are diverse, including regulating chromatin topology, scaffolding proteins and RNAs, acting as protein and RNA decoys, and producing micropeptides. Some lincRNAs have been implicated in human disease pathogenesis and may serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The article concludes by discussing the potential for coding functions to evolve alongside non-coding functions, and the need for further research to understand the complex roles of lincRNAs in gene regulation and cellular processes.