DSCAM antisense RNA 1 (DSCAM-AS1)

DSCAM antisense RNA 1 (DSCAM-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA highly upregulated in several cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, hepatocellular, melanoma, cervical, and gastric cancers. It promotes tumor progression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), binding and sequestering tumor-suppressor microRNAs, which results in increased oncogene expression. It also interacts with RNA-binding proteins like hnRNPL, contributing to alternative splicing regulation and transcriptome diversity in cancer cells. High expression of DSCAM-AS1 is associated with poorer prognosis, increased proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance (notably to tamoxifen in breast cancer). DSCAM-AS1 is being investigated as a diagnostic and prognostic cancer biomarker as well as a potential therapeutic target, though no direct drugs targeting DSCAM-AS1 are presently approved[1][2][4][6].

Other names

M41DSCAM antisense RNA 1 (non-protein coding)

Acts as a molecular sponge for multiple tumor suppressor microRNAs (e.g., miR-204-5p, miR-384, miR-137, miR-877-5p)[1][2][4]. Promotes oncogene expression by releasing their mRNA from microRNA repression. Interacts with RNA-binding proteins to alter alternative splicing (e.g., hnRNPL)[1][6]. Enhances drug resistance (e.g., tamoxifen) in breast cancer cells via miRNA sponging and upregulation of proliferative pathways[6].