SIX3 antisense RNA 1 (SIX3-AS1)

SIX3 antisense RNA 1 (SIX3-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed from the distal promoter region of the SIX3 gene, which encodes a homeodomain transcription factor critical for eye and neural development. SIX3-AS1 is highly expressed in developing retina and hypothalamus, where it functions as a molecular scaffold to recruit chromatin-modifying enzymes (such as Ezh2 of the PRC2 complex) and transcriptional coregulators (such as Eya proteins), thereby modulating the activity of SIX3 and its target genes without altering SIX3 mRNA or protein expression levels. Experimental evidence in mouse models demonstrates its essential role in retinal cell specification and neural development, with epistatic interactions between SIX3 and SIX3-AS1. Although considered a potential therapeutic target due to its regulatory functions, there are currently no approved drugs known to interact specifically with SIX3-AS1[1][3][4].

Other names

SIX3OSSIX3OS1SIX3 antisense RNA 1 (non-protein coding)SIX3 opposite strand

Scaffold for chromatin-modifying enzymes (such as Ezh2, PRC2 members) Modulates activity of transcriptional regulators (interacts with Eya family proteins)