Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 337 (ICMT-DT)

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 337 (ICMT-DT, also known as LINC00337) is a long non-coding RNA located on chromosome 1 (1p36.31), classified as a divergent transcript. It does not encode a protein, but regulates gene expression through molecular interactions such as sponging microRNAs. Its elevated expression has been linked to increased cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance in multiple cancers, including breast, pancreatic, and esophageal cancer. Mechanistically, ICMT-DT/LINC00337 acts via ceRNA functions—for example, it can sequester miR-145, impairing suppression of oncogenic targets like FSCN1, resulting in enhanced tumor progression. ICMT-DT is notable as a prognostic biomarker for malignancy, but is not a conventional therapeutic target like a receptor or enzyme, and there are no approved drugs that directly modulate its activity.

Other names

MGC40168C1orf211LINC00337NCRNA00337chromosome 1 open reading frame 211long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 337ICMT divergent transcriptnon-protein coding RNA 337

Acts as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging microRNAs (e.g., miR-145, impairing its suppression of target genes such as FSCN1, thus facilitating oncogenic pathways); Modulates tumor-associated macrophage polarization (M2 phenotype)