Maternally expressed gene 3 (non-protein coding) (MEG3)

Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a long non-coding RNA gene located at the DLK1-MEG3 imprinted locus on human chromosome 14q32.3, with multiple transcript isoforms produced by alternative splicing[3][4][2]. MEG3 functions as a tumor suppressor and its expression is frequently lost or reduced in various cancers, contributing to tumor development and poor prognosis[2][3][4][5]. It regulates gene expression through diverse mechanisms including acting as a competing endogenous RNA, scaffolding chromatin modifiers such as PRC2 for epigenetic regulation, and upregulating the p53 pathway through a conserved RNA structural motif[2][4][3]. Beyond cancer, MEG3 is involved in regulating trophoblast cell function and inflammation in preeclampsia, suggesting a broader role in developmental and inflammatory diseases[1]. It does not encode a protein and is not considered a classic drug target such as a receptor or enzyme, though its gene expression and function have diagnostic and prognostic significance[3][5]. To date, there are no approved drugs that directly target MEG3, but its restoration or modulation is an area of intense research in oncology and other diseases[2][3].

Other names

GTL2NCRNA00023LINC00023onco-lncRNA-83non-protein coding RNA 23long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 23gene trap locus 2FP504PRO0518PRO2160prebp1