Long Non-coding RNAs in the CFTR Locus: New Transcriptional Regulators of CFTR Gene Expression
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the tightly regulated cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. The CFTR gene is weakly expressed in adult tissues, and its locus contains elements that regulate its mRNA and protein expression. Here, we identified new long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) transcribed from the CFTR locus that are differentially expressed in human tissues. In particular, we focused on the CF006 lncRNA, which stimulates CFTR transcription and increases mRNA and protein expression and was strongly downregulated in bronchial epithelium reconstituted from CF-derived airway epithelial cells. Our findings also suggest that CF006 may act directly by binding to the CFTR promoter and/or indirectly by affecting the local binding of transcription factors. Moreover, CF006 lncRNA expression was negatively regulated by miR-145, a microRNA (miRNA) upregulated in CF. Altogether, our findings suggest that the lncRNA CF006 is a new cis-regulatory element of CFTR expression and, therefore, a candidate therapeutic target for CF.
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BibTeX
@article{varilh2026long,
title = {{Long Non-coding RNAs in the CFTR Locus: New Transcriptional Regulators of CFTR Gene Expression}},
author = {Jessica Varilh and Karine Deletang and Arnaud Bourdin and Prisca Boisguerin and Magali Taulan- Cadars},
journal = {Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1016/j.omtn.2026.103039},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05712313v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Long Non-coding RNAs in the CFTR Locus: New Transcriptional Regulators of CFTR Gene Expression
AU - Jessica Varilh
AU - Karine Deletang
AU - Arnaud Bourdin
AU - Prisca Boisguerin
AU - Magali Taulan- Cadars
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/27
JO - Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids
DO - 10.1016/j.omtn.2026.103039
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05712313v1
AB - Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the tightly regulated cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. The CFTR gene is weakly expressed in adult tissues, and its locus contains elements that regulate its mRNA and protein expression. Here, we identified new long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) transcribed from the CFTR locus that are differentially expressed in human tissues. In particular, we focused on the CF006 lncRNA, which stimulates CFTR transcription and increases mRNA and protein expression and was strongly downregulated in bronchial epithelium reconstituted from CF-derived airway epithelial cells. Our findings also suggest that CF006 may act directly by binding to the CFTR promoter and/or indirectly by affecting the local binding of transcription factors. Moreover, CF006 lncRNA expression was negatively regulated by miR-145, a microRNA (miRNA) upregulated in CF. Altogether, our findings suggest that the lncRNA CF006 is a new cis-regulatory element of CFTR expression and, therefore, a candidate therapeutic target for CF.
SN - 2162-2531
ER -