Neuregulin 1 mRNA (NRG1 mRNA)

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) mRNA is the transcript of the NRG1 gene, which encodes a large family of growth factors essential for the development and function of the nervous and cardiovascular systems (UniProt P43331). Through alternative splicing, the NRG1 mRNA produces multiple isoforms that serve as ligands for the ErbB3 and ErbB4 receptor tyrosine kinases, triggering signaling pathways like PI3K/AKT and MAPK (PubMed: 29445110). In clinical oncology, NRG1 gene fusions are recognized as potent oncogenic drivers, where the mRNA transcript contains the EGF-like domain of NRG1 fused to a partner gene, leading to aberrant ErbB receptor activation and tumor progression (PubMed: 31064754). Therapeutic targeting of NRG1 mRNA is an area of active research, utilizing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to downregulate expression in fusion-positive cancers or using mRNA-based delivery to restore function in diseases like heart failure (PubMed: 33208887). Current clinical approaches primarily focus on blocking the resulting protein product or its receptors using bispecific antibodies like zenocutuzumab or pan-ErbB inhibitors like afatinib (PubMed: 34155022). This target is particularly significant in tissue-agnostic cancer therapy, where NRG1 fusions serve as a biomarker across multiple tumor types.

Other names

Neuregulin-1HeregulinNeu differentiation factorAcetylcholine receptor-inducing activityGlial growth factorSensory and motor neuron-derived factorPro-neuregulin-1NRG1 fusion transcript

Inhibition of ErbB receptor signaling via ligand sequestration or receptor blockade; potential for mRNA-level silencing via RNA interference or antisense technology.