Muscleblind-like 1 antisense RNA 1 (MBNL1-AS1)

Muscleblind-like 1 antisense RNA 1 (MBNL1-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA gene located adjacent to the MBNL1 gene, encoded in the antisense direction. It acts as a tumor suppressor in several cancers, including colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. MBNL1-AS1 inhibits tumor cell proliferation and metastasis mainly via functioning as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), which sequesters specific oncogenic microRNAs—such as miR-29c-3p in colorectal cancer and miR-181a-5p in prostate cancer—thereby preventing these microRNAs from downregulating their target tumor suppressor genes (e.g., BVES, PTEN)[1][3][4]. MBNL1-AS1 activity has been linked to reduced activation of proliferative and survival pathways such as PI3K-AKT and mTOR signaling[1][3]. Reduced MBNL1-AS1 expression is associated with increased cancer cell growth and invasion, and its expression has diagnostic and therapeutic potential as a biomarker and a molecular target for anticancer therapies[1][3][4].

Other names

LOC401093MBNL1-AS1

Modulates mRNA stability of target genes (e.g., increases BVES mRNA stability by sponging miR-29c-3p); Sponges oncogenic microRNAs (e.g., miR-29c-3p, miR-181a-5p); Influences tumor suppressor pathways (e.g., PTEN)