MMP25 antisense RNA 1 (MMP25-AS1)

MMP25 antisense RNA 1 (MMP25-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed in the antisense orientation to the MMP25 gene. It acts primarily as an epigenetic regulator, capable of suppressing the expression of MMP25, a membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase involved in immune cell migration and tumor invasion, by forming an energetically stable duplex with MMP25 mRNA and preventing its upregulation, particularly under inflammatory conditions. Experimental and computational studies support a direct binding interaction with exons of the MMP25 transcript, with the overexpression of MMP25-AS1 reducing both mRNA and protein levels of MMP25 in cell models[2]. MMP25-AS1 is associated with poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma and may function as part of a ceRNA regulatory axis (MMP25-AS1/hsa-miR-10a-5p/SERPINE1) implicated in tumor progression and immune microenvironment modulation[1][6]. Emerging evidence also implicates MMP25-AS1 in the regulation of intestinal barrier integrity in the context of HIV/SIV infection and inflammation, partly through modulation by cannabinoids. Currently, MMP25-AS1 itself is not considered a direct therapeutic target like a receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but rather a regulatory RNA with roles in cancer biology and inflammation[1][2][6].

Other names

MMP25-AS1MMP25 antisense RNA 1

Modulates gene expression via epigenetic regulation and direct base-pairing with the coding transcript (MMP25)[2]; Participates in competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks influencing microRNA availability (e.g., hsa-miR-10a-5p) and downstream targets like SERPINE1[1][6]