LHX1 divergent transcript (LHX1-DT)

LHX1 divergent transcript (LHX1-DT) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed in the antisense direction from a bidirectional promoter shared with the LIM homeobox 1 (LHX1) gene. It regulates early cardiac lineage differentiation by promoting the expression of LHX1, acting through epigenetic mechanisms involving the recruitment and replacement of histone H2A with its variant H2A.Z at the LHX1 promoter. LHX1-DT physically interacts with the chromatin-associated protein PHF6 during mesoderm commitment to achieve this effect. In oncology, LHX1-DT is downregulated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), acting as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting proliferation and invasion of RCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Its lower expression is associated with advanced tumor grade and worse survival in RCC. LHX1-DT is regulated by m6A RNA methylation, involving the RNA-binding protein IGF2BP2, which stabilizes its transcript. LHX1-DT may also function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), sequestering microRNAs such as miR-590-5p and thus indirectly influencing gene expression.

Other names

lnc-ACACA-1LHX1-DTRP11-445F12.1