Focally amplified long non-coding RNA regulator of ECM1 (FALEC)

Focally amplified long non-coding RNA regulator of ECM1 (FALEC) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed from chromosome 1q21.2, functionally classified as an enhancer RNA or chromatin-associated lncRNA[1][2][3]. It regulates the expression of the nearby ECM1 gene, exerting either an enhancer-like activation (e.g., in gastric cancer) or epigenetic repression (e.g., in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, via recruitment of EZH2)[1][2]. FALEC is implicated in the progression, metastasis, and prognosis of several epithelial cancers and displays context-dependent roles as either an oncogene or tumor suppressor. High FALEC and ECM1 expression are associated with worse prognosis in gastric cancer, while in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, FALEC functions as a tumor suppressor by recruiting EZH2 to repress ECM1 and inhibit malignant behavior[1][2]. Its dual regulatory mechanisms, influence on cell proliferation and migration, and specific cancer associations position FALEC as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker in oncology[1][2][4][5].

Other names

focally amplified lncRNA on chromosome 1focally amplified lncRNA in epithelial cancerlong intergenic non-protein coding RNA 568LINC00568noncoding RNA-activating 1ncRNA-a1FAL1

Regulates expression of extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) via enhancer-like cis-activation or epigenetic repression; Recruits EZH2 to mediate H3K27me3-dependent silencing of ECM1[2]