B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia associated long RNA 6 (BALR-6)

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia associated long RNA 6 (BALR-6) is a long non-coding RNA identified as having the highest expression in B-ALL patient samples carrying the MLL rearrangement[2]. Located on chromosome 3p24.3 (human), in a conserved syntenic block, it exists in multiple splice isoforms. Functional studies show that BALR-6 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in B-ALL cell lines. Knockdown experiments lead to reduced cell growth and increased cell death, while overexpression causes increased proliferation and expansion of early hematopoietic progenitor populations. Mechanistically, BALR-6 appears to regulate B-ALL cell transcriptomes via Specificity Protein 1 (SP1) transcriptional activity, influencing the expression of leukemia-associated genes and factors involved in cell cycle progression and survival. Its expression may serve as a molecular biomarker in B-ALL, particularly in subtypes containing MLL translocations[2]. No evidence currently supports direct drug targeting of BALR-6, and it is classified as a regulatory RNA rather than a classic drug target[2].

Other names

BALR6BALR-6B-ALL associated long RNA-6LOC339862