MAL antisense RNA 1 (MAL-AS1)

MAL antisense RNA 1 (MAL-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA encoded on chromosome 2 (reverse strand). It is transcribed from the region antisense to the MAL gene. MAL-AS1 is upregulated in various cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma and HPV16-associated cervical cancer. Mechanistically, MAL-AS1 interacts with oncogenic and epigenetic regulators (e.g., EZH2 and HPV16-E7), modulating gene silencing at the MAL promoter via deposition of repressive H3K27me3 chromatin marks, leading to malignancy-associated phenotypes. It is detectable in nucleus and cytoplasm, can bind hundreds of proteins, and is considered a potential therapeutic target in oncology due to its role in promoting tumor cell invasion, metastasis, and its regulation of gene expression involved in tumor progression.

Other names

AC103563.8

Regulation of MAL gene expression through interaction with chromatin-modifying complexes (e.g., EZH2/PRC2); Modulation of tumor cell invasion and metastasis via interaction with other protein factors.