RMEL3 long non-coding RNA (RMEL3)

RMEL3 long non-coding RNA (RMEL3) is a non-protein-coding RNA molecule highly enriched in melanoma, particularly in tumors harboring the BRAFV600E mutation. RMEL3 is not detectably expressed in normal melanocytes but is present in nevi, primary, and metastatic melanoma tissues. Functional studies show that RMEL3 is required for melanoma cell survival and proliferation, primarily through modulation of the MAPK and PI3K pathways, including impacts on key cell cycle and apoptosis regulators such as BRAF, Akt, PTEN, p21, and p27. Knockdown of RMEL3 strongly blocks colony formation and survival in BRAF-mutant melanoma cells, while overexpression enhances tumorigenic properties both in vitro and in vivo. Its expression level serves as a potential biomarker and functionally contributes to oncogenic signaling in melanoma, making it a promising disease-specific target for therapeutic intervention.

Other names

lncRNA RMEL3ENSG00000250961ENST00000506106.1CTD-2023N9.1LncGPBP1-1:1

Suppression by siRNA or other knockdown approaches reduces melanoma cell viability. Pathway inhibitors (BRAF, MEK inhibition) downregulate RMEL3 expression in BRAF-mutant melanoma.