1673-85272026Feb06J Genet GenomicsThe ultra-conserved lncRNA Crnde regulates neural differentiation by targeting Gbx2 during embryonic development of the thalamus.S1673-8527(26)00046-910.1016/j.jgg.2026.02.002The thalamus regulates sensory processing, cognition, and sleep, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its development remain incompletely understood. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), particularly evolutionarily conserved ones, are highly enriched in the brain. Using public mRNA databases, we screen for lncRNAs with embryonic brain expression and harboring ultraconserved non-coding elements (UCNEs) in humans and mice, identifying colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (Crnde). It exhibits stage-specific upregulation in the embryonic thalamus. The Database of Genomic Variation and Phenotype in Humans using Ensembl Resources (DECIPHER) database suggests a potential association between Crnde and intellectual disability. Crnde-deficient mice display anxiety-like behaviors and spatial memory deficits. Furthermore, Crnde ablation increases progenitor cell numbers and impairs neuronal differentiation during embryonic thalamic development. Mechanistically, Crnde modulates the mRNA expression of gastrulation brain homeobox 2 (Gbx2), a gene critical for thalamic development. Collectively, our results implicate lncRNA Crnde in the proper progression of embryonic thalamic development in mice.Copyright © 2026. Published by Elsevier Ltd.HuWen-ZhuWZDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.GuYa-YunYYState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215002, China.HeYuan-LinYLState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.HongYuanYInstitute of Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215002, China.HeYue-WenYWState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.ZhangZi-ChengZCState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.WangYuan-HaoYHInstitute of Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.SunJia-NingJNState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.HanXiaoXState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215002, China; Institute of Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China. Electronic address: xhan1988@njmu.edu.cn.LiuYanYState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215002, China; Institute of Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China. Electronic address: yanliu@njmu.edu.cn.HuZhi-BinZBDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211189, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215002, China. Electronic address: zhibin_hu@njmu.edu.cn.engJournal Article20260206