Promoter of CDKN1A antisense DNA damage-activated RNA (PANDAR)

Promoter of CDKN1A antisense DNA damage-activated RNA (PANDAR) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) of approximately 1.5 kb, transcribed antisense from the CDKN1A (p21) promoter region in a p53-dependent manner in response to DNA damage[1][2][3][4][5][7]. PANDAR predominantly localizes to the nucleus and acts as a regulatory molecule by binding to transcription factors, notably NF-YA and p53, thus interfering with their ability to activate target apoptotic or cell cycle checkpoint genes[1][2][3][4][6]. By modulating these interactions, PANDAR plays a key role in cell fate determination, including regulation of apoptosis, proliferation, and senescence. Dysregulated PANDAR expression has been observed in multiple human cancers and is associated with poor clinical prognosis, functioning as a potential biomarker for disease severity[1][2][3][5]. No drugs are currently known to directly target PANDAR, but therapeutically modulating its function represents a theoretically attractive strategy in cancer due to its central role in the p53-mediated DNA damage response pathway[3][4][7].

Other names

PANDAp21-associated ncRNA DNA damage activatedp21 associated ncRNA DNA damage activated

Not applicable (no known direct drugs); acts as a molecular decoy, binding to transcription factors (NF-YA, p53) and modulating transcriptional programs relevant to apoptosis, cell cycle, and senescence[1][2][3][4][6].