Small integral membrane protein 10-like protein 2A (SMIM10L2A)

Small integral membrane protein 10-like protein 2A (SMIM10L2A) is a gene that encodes both a potential small integral membrane protein containing the DUF4560 motif and a long non-coding RNA transcript. The transcript can associate with enhancer chromatin and is proposed to function in enhancer regulation as a lncRNA. Recent functional work indicates that SMIM10L2A encodes a previously unknown 78-amino-acid microprotein, named MASALA, which regulates mitochondrial dynamics and stress response pathways. It appears to act as a barrier to cellular reprogramming and as a regulator of cellular identity, with possible implications in cancer and regenerative medicine. Although often annotated as a lncRNA, SMIM10L2A is now also considered a microprotein-coding gene. There is currently no evidence that it serves as a classical therapeutic target (such as a druggable receptor, enzyme, or transporter)[1][3]. Key issues and ambiguities: - Multiple aliases overlap with different transcript forms or potential neighboring genes. - It is not conventionally recognized as a receptor, enzyme, or drug target. - Some past annotations as a lncRNA may soon become outdated as more evidence accumulates for its protein-coding potential. - No direct drug interactors, mechanisms of action, or biomarker utilities are established. References for critical statements: - The existence of both lncRNA- and protein-coding functions for SMIM10L2A is explicitly demonstrated[1][3]. - Disease association and functional characterization are limited and somewhat preliminary; see MASALA microprotein function in [3]. - The gene is included in disease association screens but without therapeutic targeting[1].

Other names

SMIM10L2ASmall integral membrane protein 10-like 2ALINC00086NCRNA00086MGC39606lncRNA activator of enhancer domainsLEDLINC0086LINC00087NCRNA00087SMIM10L2BSmall integral membrane protein 10-like protein 2Blong intergenic non-protein coding RNA 86