Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 2038 (LINC02038)

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 2038 (LINC02038) is a long non-coding RNA located on chromosome 3, classified as an intergenic lncRNA[3][5][7]. LINC02038 is downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines compared to normal tissues, and its overexpression suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion of colorectal cancer cells while promoting apoptosis[2]. Functionally, LINC02038 acts mainly in the cytoplasm as a molecular sponge (competing endogenous RNA) for microRNA miR-552-5p, preventing it from downregulating its target, FAM172A, thus modulating tumor-related signaling such as PI3K/AKT[2][6]. LINC02038’s tumor-suppressor role and its significant association with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer suggest its potential utility as a prognostic biomarker[2]. However, there are currently no known drugs or therapies that directly target LINC02038, and it is not considered a canonical therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter[2][3][7].

Other names

LINC02038