Small integral membrane protein 31 (SMIM31)

Small integral membrane protein 31 (SMIM31) is a putative protein-coding gene but is also notably annotated as a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), sometimes referred to as LINC01207, with both a small peptide and a non-coding regulatory RNA derived from its transcript[1][5][6][8]. The human ortholog is also known as h.EPR (human epithelial cell program regulator) and is highly enriched in epithelial tissues, where it controls key aspects of epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation, partially by interacting with regulators of cell adhesion, cell cycle, and gene expression, and by modulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to TGF-β signaling[5][9]. The lncRNA form plays a critical role in transcriptional regulation and RNA decay, while the encoded peptide localizes at epithelial cell junctions, but many regulatory functions occur independently of the peptide[5]. Disease association data include implication in several cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and gastric cancer[1][8]. There are currently no known interacting drugs, biomarkers, or specific mechanisms of action involving this target, and its function as a therapeutic target remains unclear.

Other names

h.EPRhuman epithelial cell program regulatorLINC01207long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1207EPRepithelial program regulator