TRIB1 associated long noncoding RNA (TRIB1AL)

TRIB1 associated long noncoding RNA (TRIB1AL, also called TRIBAL) is a long noncoding RNA transcript located near the TRIB1 gene on chromosome 8q24.13, encompassing key genetic risk loci for plasma triglyceride levels and coronary artery disease. TRIB1AL contains a conserved promoter and is transcribed into multiple splice variants with no coding potential for protein. Risk SNPs in its promoter region are associated with altered promoter activity, changes in TRIB1 expression, and plasma lipid traits. TRIBAL appears to function partly through regulation of TRIB1 expression and downstream biochemical pathways in hepatocytes, including lipid metabolism and liver-specific transcriptional regulation, but also displays elements of functional independence from nearby protein-coding genes. Elevated or reduced TRIBAL expression, as well as specific promoter SNPs, are associated with dyslipidemia, increased cardiovascular disease risk, and hepatic metabolic changes. No drugs target TRIBAL directly, and its importance is mainly as a locus modulating disease risk via genetic and expression effects.

Other names

TRIB1ALTRIBALTRIB1-associated locus

No therapeutics with a mechanism of action targeting TRIB1-associated lncRNA have been described. Risk single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TRIBAL locus likely affect gene expression and downstream lipid metabolism, but not through drug-like action.