Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 960 (LINC00960)

Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 960 (LINC00960) is a human long non-coding RNA gene located on chromosome 3, classified as an intergenic lncRNA. It is upregulated in several cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and bladder cancer. LINC00960 acts as a molecular sponge for multiple microRNAs—such as miR-146a-5p, miR-124a, miR-34a-5p, miR-16-5p, and miR-183-5p—thereby enhancing the expression of oncogenic proteins including IRAK1, SphK1, BMI1, KRAS, and AKT3. Functional studies demonstrate that LINC00960 promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and correlates with a poor prognosis and more aggressive tumor phenotype. Its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target is under investigation, though it is not yet directly targeted by approved drugs.

Other names

LINC00960 (HGNC symbol)long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 960

Drugs targeting LINC00960 would likely aim to inhibit its function or expression, potentially using antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA, or small molecules to disrupt its sponge activity for specific microRNAs. Detailed mechanisms are not clinically established, as no approved drugs are reported.