HOXB cluster antisense RNA 1 (HOXB-AS1)

HOXB cluster antisense RNA 1 (HOXB-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed antisense to the HOXB gene cluster, particularly located between HOXB2 and HOXB3[1][3]. It does not encode a protein but acts as a regulator in gene expression at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. HOXB-AS1 is overexpressed in several tumor types, most notably in glioblastoma, endometrial carcinoma, and multiple myeloma, where it is linked to cancer proliferation, invasion, stem cell maintenance, and poor prognosis[2][4][1]. Mechanistically, HOXB-AS1 interacts with proteins (such as ILF3) to increase HOXB2 and HOXB3 gene expression and acts as a sponge for various microRNAs, contributing to oncogenic pathways such as Wnt signaling[2][4]. It can serve as a prognostic biomarker in cancer but does not have any currently approved drug interactions or established therapies targeting it. Safety concerns mainly relate to its key role in oncogenesis; modulating its function may disrupt normal developmental or stem cell processes and could entail risks of unwanted gene regulatory changes.

Other names

HOXB-AS1HOXB3OSHOXB cluster antisense RNA 1 (non-protein coding)

lncRNA–protein scaffold (recruits ILF3 for gene transcription regulation), Competitive endogenous RNA (sponges miR-186-5p, miR-149-3p, miR-885-3p), Stabilizes mRNA (HOXB2, HOXB3, FUT4), Activates Wnt signaling pathway