Details for: SLC26A5 AS1

Gene ID: 101927870

Gene Type:  ncRNA (Non-coding RNA)  - A functional RNA molecule that is transcribed from DNA but not translated into a protein. Includes classes like miRNA and lncRNA.

Symbol: SLC26A5 AS1

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000234715

Description: SLC26A5 antisense RNA 1

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • cerebellar granule cell CL0001031
    CSI 4.44
    rCSI 6.52%
    PRS 99.1
  • caudal ganglionic eminence derived cortical interneuron CL4023064
    CSI 2.65
    rCSI 4.67%
    PRS 98.79
  • basal cell of epidermis CL0002187
    CSI 2.13
    rCSI 3.77%
    PRS 92.68
  • retinal ganglion cell CL0000740
    CSI 1.95
    rCSI 4.3%
    PRS 98.8
  • starburst amacrine cell CL0004232
    CSI 0.93
    rCSI 7.81%
    PRS 98.03
  • direct pathway medium spiny neuron CL4023026
    CSI 0.33
    rCSI 7.94%
    PRS 97.86

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

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Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) located on chromosome 7q22.1. As its name implies, it is transcribed antisense to the protein-coding gene *SLC26A5*, which encodes the motor protein prestin essential for cochlear function. **Overall**, expression data indicates that [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) has a highly specific expression pattern, with its most significant presence observed in distinct neuronal populations, particularly the [cerebellar granule cell](/details-cell/CL0001031). Its high specificity suggests a potential role in regulating neuronal function, possibly through modulating the expression of its sense-strand counterpart or through independent mechanisms. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) points towards a specialized role primarily within the central nervous system and, to a lesser extent, in epithelial tissues. * **Neuronal Specificity:** The gene's significance is highest in [cerebellar granule cell](/details-cell/CL0001031) (CSI: 4.44), suggesting it is a defining molecular feature of this abundant neuronal type. Its expression is also significant in other diverse neuronal subtypes, including [caudal ganglionic eminence derived cortical interneuron](/details-cell/CL4023064) (CSI: 2.65), [retinal ganglion cell](/details-cell/CL0000740) (CSI: 1.95), [starburst amacrine cell](/details-cell/CL0004232) (CSI: 0.93), and [direct pathway medium spiny neuron](/details-cell/CL4023026) (CSI: 0.33). This pattern suggests a role in mature, post-mitotic neurons across different brain regions. * **Epithelial Expression:** Notably, [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) is also significantly expressed in the [basal cell of epidermis](/details-cell/CL0002187) (CSI: 2.13). This finding indicates that its function may not be exclusively restricted to the nervous system and could extend to processes within stratified epithelia, such as proliferation or differentiation. The highly restricted expression in these specific neuronal and epidermal cell types implies a tightly regulated and specialized function, with low or negligible activity in other major lineages like hematopoietic or endothelial cells. ## Pathways and Molecular Function While detailed functional annotations for [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) are currently limited, its genomic context provides strong clues to its likely function. As an antisense lncRNA, it is positioned to regulate the expression of the *SLC26A5* gene. *SLC26A5* encodes prestin, a protein critical for the electromotility of outer hair cells in the cochlea, a process fundamental for sound amplification and hearing. Therefore, it is plausible that [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) is involved in the transcriptional or post-transcriptional control of *SLC26A5* expression. The significant expression of the lncRNA in various CNS neurons, where prestin's role is less characterized, suggests that this regulatory axis may be important for neuronal physiology, potentially influencing membrane mechanics or ion homeostasis in ways analogous to its function in the auditory system. ## Research Directions The specific expression pattern of [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) in discrete neuronal and epidermal populations opens several avenues for future investigation. ### Proposed Hypotheses 1. **[SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) acts as a *cis*-acting regulator of *SLC26A5* expression in neurons.** In this model, the lncRNA could recruit chromatin-modifying enzymes to the *SLC26A5* promoter or modulate the stability and translation of *SLC26A5* mRNA, thereby fine-tuning prestin levels to influence neuronal membrane properties and function. 2. **[SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) possesses *trans*-acting functions independent of *SLC26A5*.** The lncRNA may function as a molecular scaffold, binding to specific proteins or other RNA molecules to regulate distinct cellular processes in neurons and epidermal basal cells, such as cell signaling, cytoskeletal dynamics, or differentiation. ### Key Experimental Approach To test the hypothesis that [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) regulates *SLC26A5* expression (Hypothesis 1), a targeted knockdown experiment could be performed. Using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) designed to specifically degrade [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) in primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons, one could measure the resulting changes in *SLC26A5* mRNA and protein levels via RT-qPCR and Western blot. Functional consequences could be assessed using patch-clamp electrophysiology to determine if knockdown of the lncRNA alters cellular capacitance, ion currents, or firing patterns. ### Therapeutic Potential As a lncRNA with a highly cell-type-specific expression pattern, [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) presents a potentially attractive therapeutic target. Its ncRNA nature makes it amenable to targeting with nucleic acid-based drugs like ASOs, which can be engineered for high specificity. If this lncRNA is found to be dysregulated in neurological disorders characterized by neuronal hyperexcitability or degeneration, **inhibition** of [SLC26A5 AS1](/details-gene/101927870) could be a viable strategy to restore normal neuronal function. Conversely, if it plays a neuroprotective role, developing molecules to stabilize or enhance its activity could be beneficial. Further research is required to validate its role in disease before its therapeutic potential can be fully realized.