Actin filament-associated protein 1 antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1)

Actin filament-associated protein 1 antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed from the antisense strand of the protein-coding AFAP1 gene, located at chromosome 4p16.1[4][5]. It is overexpressed in multiple cancers and is associated with proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis. AFAP1-AS1 acts mainly oncogenically: it modulates gene expression by binding and sequestering tumor-suppressor miRNAs, interacts with proteins such as SNIP1, and promotes critical processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as chemoresistance through several intracellular signaling pathways including EGFR/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, and PI3K/AKT[3][5]. Knockdown of AFAP1-AS1 results in suppression of tumor growth, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. High levels of circulating AFAP1-AS1 have been proposed as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, particularly in nasopharyngeal carcinoma[2][4][5]. No specific approved drugs currently target AFAP1-AS1, but it is under active investigation as a potential therapeutic target for anti-cancer therapy.

Other names

MGC10981AFAP1-ASAFAP1ASAFAP1 antisense RNA 1 (non-protein coding)AFAP1-AS1

Functions as an oncogenic lncRNA, acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to bind and sequester tumor-suppressive miRNAs (e.g., miR-139-5p, miR-423-5p), leading to derepression of oncogenic target mRNAs[5]. Interacts with proteins such as Smad nuclear interacting protein 1 (SNIP1) and EZH2 to affect downstream gene expression pathways, notably promoting c-Myc stability and EMT-related gene expression[3][5].