FENDRR

FENDRR (FOXF1 Adjacent Non-Coding Developmental Regulatory RNA) is a long non-coding RNA gene that is located on chromosome 16 in humans. It plays a crucial role in the development and function of the heart and lungs, and is also involved in the regulation of other genes during embryonic development.

Function

FENDRR is a non-coding RNA gene, which means it does not code for a protein. Instead, it produces a type of RNA molecule known as long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). This lncRNA molecule interacts with other molecules in the cell to regulate the activity of certain genes. Specifically, FENDRR binds to a protein complex called Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), which is involved in the regulation of gene expression during development.

FENDRR is particularly important for the development of the heart and lungs. It is expressed in the lateral plate mesoderm, a layer of tissue in the developing embryo that gives rise to these organs. By regulating the activity of genes in this tissue, FENDRR helps to control the formation and growth of the heart and lungs.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the FENDRR gene have been associated with a number of health conditions. For example, a deletion of the FENDRR gene has been linked to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a birth defect in which there is a hole in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. This can cause the intestines and other abdominal organs to move into the chest, which can interfere with lung development.

In addition, changes in the expression of FENDRR have been observed in several types of cancer, including gastric cancer and lung cancer. It is thought that FENDRR may act as a tumor suppressor, meaning that it helps to prevent cells from growing and dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way. Therefore, a decrease in FENDRR expression could contribute to the development of cancer.

Research

Research is ongoing to better understand the function of FENDRR and its role in disease. This could lead to the development of new diagnostic tests or treatments for conditions associated with FENDRR mutations or changes in expression.