Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were recently shown to regulate chromatin 
remodelling activities. Their function in regulating gene expression switching 
during specific developmental stages is poorly understood. Here we describe a 
nuclear, non-coding transcript responsive for the stage-specific activation of 
the chicken adult α(D) globin gene. This non-coding transcript, named α-globin 
transcript long non-coding RNA (lncRNA-αGT) is transcriptionally upregulated in 
late stages of chicken development, when active chromatin marks the adult α(D) 
gene promoter. Accordingly, the lncRNA-αGT promoter drives erythroid-specific 
transcription. Furthermore, loss of function experiments showed that lncRNA-αGT 
is required for full activation of the α(D) adult gene and maintenance of 
transcriptionally active chromatin. These findings uncovered lncRNA-αGT as an 
important part of the switching from embryonic to adult α-globin gene 
expression, and suggest a function of lncRNA-αGT in contributing to the 
maintenance of adult α-globin gene expression by promoting an active chromatin 
structure.