Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 161 (LINC00161)

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 161 (LINC00161) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a non-protein-coding transcript longer than 200 nucleotides, primarily noted for its roles in cancer biology[1][3]. It functions as an oncogenic lncRNA in conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma, where its increased expression drives tumor cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, partially through epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes (e.g., recruitment of EZH2 to methylate the HACE1 promoter)[2][4]. In osteosarcoma, LINC00161 modulates cisplatin-induced apoptosis and can reverse drug resistance by acting as a molecular sponge for select microRNAs, such as miR-645 and miR-128, thereby influencing the expression of genes like IFIT2 and MAPK1[5][6][7]. Elevated LINC00161 levels are prognostic for poor outcomes in multiple cancers, and knockdown of this lncRNA inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models, supporting its role as a potential therapeutic target and/or biomarker in oncology[2][4][7].

Other names

HORAS5C21orf100Linc-USP16NCRNA00161

Sponging specific microRNAs (such as miR-645, miR-128); Modulation of gene expression by recruiting chromatin modifiers (e.g., EZH2)