Testis expressed 41 (non-protein coding) (TEX41)

Testis expressed 41 (TEX41) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), also classified as an enhancer RNA (eRNA), encoded on chromosome 2 and not translated into a functional protein[1][4][5]. It is involved in the regulation of mRNA splicing, processing of ribosomal RNA, and ribosome assembly[1]. In cancer, elevated TEX41 expression is associated with poor prognosis and leads to increased cell proliferation and migration, as observed in melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma[2][3]. TEX41 exerts regulatory effects through several molecular mechanisms, including functioning as a competing endogenous RNA (sequestering miRNAs such as miR-153-3p) and modulating chromatin and transcription factor activity[2][3]. These functions may influence cancer progression by affecting pathways like transcriptional misregulation, melanogenesis, and immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment[2][3]. No approved drugs directly target TEX41, but its emerging roles in oncogenesis and immune response make it a subject of research as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target.

Other names

LINC00953DKFZp686O1327AC074093.1long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 953testis expressed 41 (non-protein coding)