LHFPL3 antisense RNA 1 (LHFPL3-AS1)

LHFPL3 antisense RNA 1 (LHFPL3-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed antisense to the LHFPL3 gene locus. It does not encode a protein but acts as a regulator of gene expression, primarily through sequestration (“sponging”) of microRNAs, thereby influencing the expression of genes implicated in cancer biology. Elevated LHFPL3-AS1 expression is observed in multiple cancers, including melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, where it promotes tumor cell proliferation, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and resistance to apoptosis, often through positive feedback loops involving regulatory axes such as miR-580-3p/STAT3 and miR-143-5p/HOXA6. High LHFPL3-AS1 levels are linked to poor patient prognoses. It is considered a putative oncogenic lncRNA rather than a traditional druggable receptor or enzyme, and its modulation is under exploration as a novel angle for cancer therapy.

Other names

LHFPL3 antisense RNA 1 (non-protein coding)LHFPL3-AS1

Functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) “sponging” microRNAs such as miR-143-5p and miR-580-3p, thereby regulating the expression of downstream targets like STAT3 and HOXA6 in cancer pathways; Regulation of apoptosis via effects on Bcl-2 in melanoma stem cells