Fatty acid amide hydrolase pseudogene 1 (FAAHP1)

Fatty acid amide hydrolase pseudogene 1 (FAAHP1/FAAH-OUT) is a long non-coding RNA gene located downstream of the FAAH enzyme gene. It acts as a positive regulator of FAAH expression by both producing a lncRNA and by providing enhancer elements (e.g., FAAH-AMP) that maintain an open chromatin structure at the FAAH locus, thus promoting FAAH transcription. Microdeletions in FAAH-OUT markedly reduce FAAH expression, leading to increased endocannabinoid levels (such as anandamide), which can cause pain insensitivity, lack of anxiety, and enhanced wound healing through effects on both canonical endocannabinoid and non-canonical Wnt/BDNF signaling pathways. While FAAH is a key enzyme in the endocannabinoid pathway and a therapeutic target for pain, FAAH-OUT itself is not a classical drug target, but its regulatory role is critical for FAAH-dependent physiological and pathological processes.

Other names

FAAH-OUTFAAHP1

not applicable for direct drug targeting (FAAH-OUT does not have pharmacological inhibitors/activators; regulation is possible via genetic or epigenetic tools)