Cohesion regulator noncoding RNA (DDX11-AS1)

Cohesion regulator noncoding RNA (DDX11-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed antisense to the DDX11 gene. DDX11-AS1 is upregulated in multiple human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, breast, esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. Experimental data show that DDX11-AS1 promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, primarily through regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and activation of oncogenic pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin and p38-MAPK. DDX11-AS1 acts, in part, by sponging specific microRNAs, thereby upregulating EMT and invasion-promoting transcription factors (SNAI1, ZEB2). It also exerts a direct regulatory role on DDX11 helicase activity, which is essential for proper sister chromatid cohesion and DNA replication, but does not affect DDX11 mRNA or protein expression. In colorectal cancer, a small protein translated from DDX11-AS1 (DDX11-AS1-ORF) was shown to independently promote tumor aggression by activating p38-MAPK signaling via VEGFA. Elevated DDX11-AS1 expression correlates with poor prognosis and may serve as a novel therapeutic target and biomarker in multiple cancers.

Other names

DDX11 antisense RNA 1CONCRSCAT4cohesion regulator noncoding RNAS-phase cancer-associated transcript 4DDX11-AS1 (non-protein coding)

Functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging tumor-suppressive microRNAs (e.g., miR-30d-5p) to upregulate EMT drivers (SNAI1, ZEB2). Activates oncogenic signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt/β-catenin, p38-MAPK via VEGFA). Modulates DDX11 helicase enzymatic activity without changing DDX11 mRNA or protein levels. Promotes tumor proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis via upregulation of pro-tumorigenic signals and factors.