CDH13 antisense oligodendrocyte and neuron associated long non-coding RNA (CEDORA)

CDH13 antisense oligodendrocyte and neuron associated lncRNA (CEDORA), also known as FEDORA or RP11-298D21.1, is a human-specific long non-coding RNA transcribed antisense to the CDH13 (cadherin-13) gene[1][2][4][5][6][7][9]. It is highly enriched in the brain, with predominant expression in oligodendrocytes and to a lesser extent in neurons[2]. CEDORA exhibits a baseline sex difference in expression—it is expressed at lower levels in females than males among healthy controls, but becomes markedly upregulated in females with major depressive disorder (MDD)[2]. Its transcriptional activity is associated with myelination-related processes and it affects both neuronal gene networks (notably synaptic transmission and G protein signaling) and oligodendrocytic gene networks (including translation and myelination)[2]. CEDORA’s effects on gene expression are often antagonistic across cell types: in neurons, its expression alters excitability and synaptic genes, while in oligodendrocytes it impacts myelin thickness and cell-intrinsic excitability[2]. Although it regulates a gene (CDH13) that has been linked to neuropsychiatric conditions, CEDORA itself is not currently considered a direct therapeutic target and there are no known drugs targeting it[8]. Its upregulation in female MDD patients suggests a potential as a sex-specific biomarker in neuropsychiatric disorders[2].

Other names

FEDORARP11-298D21.1FEmale DepressiOn lncRNA