Deleted in lymphocytic leukemia 2 (non-protein coding) (DLEU2)

Deleted in lymphocytic leukemia 2 (DLEU2) is a long non-coding RNA gene, originally identified in the context of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, located at chromosome 13q14.2[1][2][5]. DLEU2 serves both as a host gene for the miR-15a/miR-16-1 cluster and as a regulator of gene expression through epigenetic and post-transcriptional mechanisms. DLEU2 is aberrantly expressed in a variety of human cancers, where it can act either as an oncogene (promoting proliferation, migration, and invasion, and inhibiting apoptosis) or, less frequently, as a tumor suppressor. Mechanistically, DLEU2 operates primarily via a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, modulating microRNAs like miR-30c-5p and miR-455, thus affecting downstream oncogenic signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT through PIK3CD and SOX9. Due to its involvement in tumorigenic processes, DLEU2 is being explored as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and represents a possible therapeutic target in oncology[1][2][3][4][5]. As a non-protein coding RNA, traditional drug interaction data are lacking, and targeting lncRNAs therapeutically poses significant technical challenges.

Other names

LEU2TRIM13OSNCRNA00022LINC00022MIR15AHGnon-protein coding RNA 22long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 22mir-15a-16-1 cluster host gene (non-protein coding)ALT1BCMSUNDLB2RFP2RFP2OS

Functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), sponging specific microRNAs (e.g., miR-30c-5p, miR-455). Regulates gene expression via microRNA interactions and epigenetic modification (e.g., interaction with EZH2, polycomb complex).