BOK antisense RNA 1 (BOK-AS1)

BOK antisense RNA 1 (BOK-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed from the Bok gene locus in an antisense orientation and acts as a regulatory molecule primarily involved in modulating apoptosis and influencing cellular responses to stress[1][3]. BOK-AS1 has been shown to be upregulated in certain cancers, such as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, especially after radiotherapy, where it promotes the expression of the oncofetal gene WISP1 and contributes to radioresistance by mitigating irradiation-induced DNA damage and activating the PI3K pathway[1]. BOK-AS1 acts as a natural antisense transcript of the proapoptotic Bok gene, serving as a negative regulator of Bok-mediated apoptotic signaling; it is expressed in testis and certain cancer tissues[1]. While BOK-AS1 itself does not induce apoptosis, it can inhibit Bok-induced apoptosis in vitro, suggesting a context-dependent regulatory function in cell survival and response to genotoxic stress[1]. There is no evidence that BOK-AS1 is currently a direct therapeutic target or that any drugs are known to interact with it[1][3].

Other names

BOK-ASNCRNA00151BOKASNAToBnon-protein coding RNA 151LOC105373974