Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 239 (LINC00239)

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 239 (LINC00239) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with demonstrated oncogenic activity in multiple malignancies, including colorectal cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma[1][2][5]. LINC00239 lacks protein-coding capacity but is involved in the regulation of cancer cell behaviors such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion[1][2][5]. In colorectal cancer, LINC00239 acts as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), sponging microRNA-484 to upregulate the expression of KLF12 and thereby promote tumor growth and progression[1][3]. It also interacts with the Kelch domain of Keap1, stabilizing Nrf2 and inhibiting Nrf2 ubiquitination, thereby increasing Nrf2 protein levels and activity. This disruption of Keap1/Nrf2 complex inhibits ferroptosis—a form of programmed cell death essential for the anti-tumor response—and confers resistance to ferroptosis-inducing drugs like erastin and RSL3[2][4]. Overexpression of LINC00239 in tumors is associated with poorer patient prognosis in colorectal cancer. Due to its integral role in cancer biology and therapy resistance, LINC00239 is considered a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for prognosis and patient stratification in oncology[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

C14orf72NCRNA00239LINC00239

Inhibition of ferroptosis (drug resistance via increased Nrf2 stabilization); Promotion of cancer cell survival through PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Keap1/Nrf2 signal modulation; Increased resistance to chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., via reduced ferroptosis)