PCDH eRNA associated with R-loop formation 1 (PEARL1)

PEARL1 (PCDH eRNA associated with R-loop formation 1) is a long non-coding RNA, specifically an enhancer RNA (eRNA), transcribed from the HS5-1 enhancer region within the protocadherin α (Pcdhα) gene cluster[1][3][4]. It functions locally in the genome (in cis) to form R-loops, which are RNA–DNA hybrids that facilitate chromatin looping between distal enhancers and their variable target promoters. This looping is critical for the stochastic, cell-type–specific expression of protocadherin α genes, especially in brain tissue, where these proteins contribute to neural identity. The role of PEARL1 is mechanistic and regulatory rather than as a classical therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter. There are no known small-molecule drugs or therapeutic antibodies targeting PEARL1, and its primary biological significance lies in gene expression regulation and the three-dimensional organization of chromatin domains in neural tissue[1][2][5].

Other names

PEARLPcdh eRNA associated with R-loop formation