EPHA2 antisense RNA 1 (EPHA2-AS1)

EPHA2 antisense RNA 1 (EPHA2-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed from the antisense strand of the EPHA2 locus. It is one of two characterized splice variants (the other being EPHA2-AS2), and regulates the stability and expression of EPHA2 mRNA, a receptor tyrosine kinase critically implicated in tumorigenesis across several cancers such as breast cancer. EPHA2-AS1 is constitutively expressed in a pattern correlating with EPHA2, particularly in aggressive cancer subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer, where it promotes proliferation and migration of malignant cells by modulating the Ras-MAPK/JNK-NFATC2/JUND signaling pathway. Experimental downregulation of EPHA2-AS1 (by RNA interference or compounds such as AHCC®) suppresses EPHA2 expression and impairs cancer cell growth and migratory capacity, highlighting EPHA2-AS1 as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for certain cancers[1][2]. Note: EPHA2-AS1 is not a receptor, enzyme, or protein-coding gene, but a regulatory lncRNA; its putative therapeutic relevance is *indirect*, acting through modulation of a cancer-driving protein (EPHA2)[1]. No clinically approved drugs directly target EPHA2-AS1 as of this writing.

Other names

EPHA2-AS1EPHA2 antisense RNA 1EPHA2 natural antisense transcript splice variant 1

Agents reducing EPHA2-AS1 expression (e.g., AHCC®) decrease EPHA2 mRNA and protein levels, suppressing cancer cell proliferation and migration