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ABSTRACTThe roles of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) have been highlighted in various development processes including congenital heart defects (CHD). Here, we characterized the molecular function of LncRNA, Moshe(1010001N08ik-203), one of the Gata6antisense transcripts located upstream of Gata6,which is involved in both heart development and the most common type of congenital heart defect, atrial septal defect (ASD). During mouse embryonic development, Moshewas first detected during the cardiac mesoderm stage (E8.5 to E9.5) where Gata6is expressed and continues to increase at the atrioventricular septum (E12.5), which is involved in ASD. Functionally, the knock-down of Mosheduring cardiogenesis caused significant repression of Nkx2.5in cardiac progenitor stages and resulted in the increase in major SHF lineage genes, such as cardiac transcriptional factors (Isl1, Hand2, Tbx2), endothelial-specific genes (Cd31, Flk1, Tie1, vWF), a smooth muscle actin (a-Sma) and sinoatrial node-specific genes (Shox2, Tbx18). Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification showed Mosheactivates Nkx2.5gene expression via direct binding to its promoter region. Of note, Moshewas conserved across species, including human, pig and mouse. Altogether, this study suggests that Mosheis a heart-enriched lncRNA that controls a sophisticated network of cardiogenesis by repressing genes in SHF via Nkx2.5during cardiac development and may play an important role in ASD.