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Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3)
- Target
- MEG3
- Molecular classification
- Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), Imprinted gene, Transcriptional regulator/epigenetic regulator
01
Overview
Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is an imprinted, maternally expressed long noncoding RNA consisting of ~1700 nucleotides with at least 12 known transcript isoforms produced by alternative splicing. It acts as a tumor suppressor by activating the p53 pathway, inhibiting cell proliferation, and promoting apoptosis. MEG3 expression is regulated epigenetically (including DNA methylation) and is modulated by cellular stressors, metabolic environment, and the retinoblastoma protein pathway. Loss or silencing of MEG3 is associated with cancer, metabolic dysfunction, and immune diseases. Its functions include competitive endogenous RNA activity, epigenetic regulation, interaction with proteins such as p53, and modulation of various gene expression networks. Its levels and activity are being explored as disease biomarkers and potential therapy targets in oncology, immunology, and metabolic diseases.
- Other names
- MEG3Maternally expressed 3Long noncoding RNA MEG3Gtl2
02
Mechanism of action
Drugs such as palbociclib modulate MEG3 by relieving methylation-mediated repression, leading to increased expression, reduced cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis in cancer models
03
Biological functions
Tumor suppressionCell proliferation inhibitionActivation of p53 pathway and downstream targetsEpigenetic imprinting and gene regulationModulation of metabolic programmingRegulation of immune response (e.g., involvement in NF-κB signaling and immune thrombocytopenia)Regulation of apoptosis
04
Disease associations
Cancer (esp. as a tumor suppressor; expression is lost or silenced in many tumors)Metabolic syndrome and associated dysfunctionsImmune diseases (e.g., immune thrombocytopenia)Possible neurodegenerative disease involvement (e.g., Alzheimer's disease)Skeletal muscle disorders (implicated in callipyge muscular hypertrophy in sheep)
05
Safety considerations
There are no direct safety concerns with targeting MEG3 itself reported, but gene therapy or modulation of noncoding RNAs can have unpredictable systemic effects on gene expression networks and imprinting
06
Interacting drugs
Palbociclib
1 more in the full profile.
07
Biomarkers
MEG3 expression levels used as a biomarker for tumor suppression and response to epigenetic therapyDifferential expression in immune thrombocytopenia as a biomarker for disease severity and treatment response
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