ACTA2 antisense RNA 1 (ACTA2-AS1)

ACTA2 antisense RNA 1 (ACTA2-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed from the antisense strand of the ACTA2 gene locus on chromosome 10q23.31. It does not encode a protein but has been shown to participate in the regulation of cancer cell behaviors, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma. ACTA2-AS1 appears to act as a tumor suppressor in liver and lung cancers: its downregulation promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, while its overexpression suppresses these malignant features and promotes apoptosis. Mechanistically, ACTA2-AS1 can regulate the expression of genes involved in these processes, and acts as a molecular sponge for certain oncogenic microRNAs (ceRNA function, for instance, binding miR-378a-3p). Its altered expression offers potential as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis or prognosis, and as a possible therapeutic target for RNA-based interventions in oncology. Note: The ACTA2 gene and its protein product (alpha-smooth muscle actin) have distinct and better-studied roles in vascular smooth muscle and various vascular diseases, but ACTA2-AS1 as an *antisense lncRNA* should not be confused with the protein-coding ACTA2 gene.

Other names

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Functions through RNA interference/siRNA knockdown (in research) and acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) via sponging oncogenic microRNAs (e.g., miR-378a-3p in LUAD).