Prostate cancer-associated transcript 1 (PCAT1)

Prostate cancer-associated transcript 1 (PCAT1) is a long non-coding RNA (~1900–2000 nt) located at chromosome 8q24, identified via RNA sequencing in prostate tumors, and found to be upregulated in advanced forms and metastases across several cancers. PCAT1 acts primarily as a transcriptional repressor, notably silencing the tumor suppressor BRCA2 and thereby impairing homologous recombination DNA repair, which increases cellular sensitivity to PARP1 inhibitors. It also promotes cancer cell proliferation by upregulating the MYC oncogene and acts as a microRNA sponge, binding miR-326 and miR-122, thus deregulating multiple cell growth pathways. PCAT1 expression is linked to poorer prognosis, higher metastatic potential, and advanced tumor stages; its detection in tissue and serum is being explored as a non-invasive biomarker. Knockdown or silencing of PCAT1 in experimental models suppresses tumor growth and increases chemosensitivity, supporting its potential as a therapeutic target.

Other names

PCAT-1PCA1PiHLLoc105375751Prostate cancer associated transcript 1 (non-protein coding)Prostate cancer-associated lncRNA transcript 1

Synthetic interference/antisense or shRNA (experimental; knockdown of PCAT1 reduces cancer cell growth and invasion); Combination therapy potential (enhances efficacy of DNA repair inhibitors and select chemotherapeutics)