Family with sequence similarity 99 member A (non-protein coding) (FAM99A)

Family with sequence similarity 99 member A (FAM99A) is a liver-specific long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), predominantly localized in the nuclei of liver cells[2]. FAM99A acts as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with lower expression linked to poor prognosis and aggressive clinical features[2][3]. Functionally, FAM99A inhibits HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, glycolysis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulating key pathways including JAK2/STAT3 and by interacting with RNA binding proteins such as EIF4B, PCBP1, and others[1][2][4]. Overexpression of FAM99A suppresses tumor growth in vivo in animal models[1][2]. FAM99A is not itself a therapeutic target in the traditional sense (i.e., it is not a receptor, enzyme, or transporter), but may be relevant as a biomarker for prognosis and potentially as a mediator targeted indirectly by small molecule therapeutics, such as icaritin, that modulate lncRNA expression[1][2].

Other names

FLJ42833family with sequence similarity 99 member AFAM99A (non-protein coding)lncRNA FAM99A

Icaritin-induced upregulation of FAM99A leads to inhibition of GLUT1-mediated glycolysis through inactivation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway[1]