Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 278 (LINC00278)

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 278 (LINC00278) is a Y chromosome-encoded long noncoding RNA that harbors a small open reading frame in its first exon, encoding a 21-amino-acid micropeptide named YY1-blocking micropeptide (YY1BM). LINC00278 is predominantly cytoplasmic and its micropeptide product plays a tumor-suppressive role in male esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by blocking the interaction of the transcription factor YY1 and androgen receptor, which suppresses AR-dependent signaling (notably, eEF2K expression). LINC00278 expression and micropeptide translation are regulated through N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification—smoking can decrease this m6A-mediated translation, linking environmental exposure to disease risk. No clinically approved drugs currently target LINC00278/YY1BM, but its unique role in male cancer biology makes it a notable disease-relevant target.

Other names

YY1-blocking micropeptideYY1BMNCRNA00278linc-TGIF2LY-2XLOC_008276ENSG00000231535OTTHUMG00000036157.1TCONS_00017607

For the micropeptide (YY1BM): blocks YY1–androgen receptor interaction, suppressing AR-driven eEF2K transcription and downstream tumor growth pathways