Rhophilin Rho GTPase binding protein 1 antisense RNA 1 (RHPN1-AS1)

Rhophilin Rho GTPase binding protein 1 antisense RNA 1 (RHPN1-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed from the antisense strand of the RHPN1 gene on chromosome 8q24. RHPN1-AS1 does not encode a protein, but regulates cancer-related cellular processes by acting as a molecular sponge for various microRNAs, thereby de-repressing oncogenic targets such as TOP2A, FGF2, ETS1, EGFR, and activating pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Overexpression of RHPN1-AS1 is linked to increased cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various cancers including ovarian, breast, cervical, uveal melanoma, and colorectal cancer. Silencing RHPN1-AS1 in laboratory models inhibits tumor growth and is associated with a decrease in EMT markers. RHPN1-AS1 is regarded as a promising biomarker for poor prognosis and disease aggressiveness, making it a candidate for therapeutic targeting in oncology. Its functions and mechanisms are still being investigated in the context of cancer biology, and no approved drugs currently target this lncRNA directly in clinical practice.

Other names

RHPN1 antisense RNA 1C8orf51MGC3113RHPN1 antisense gene protein 1Rhophilin Rho GTPase binding protein 1 antisense RNA1RHPN1 antisense RNA 1 (head to head)RHPN1 antisense RNA 1 (non-protein coding)Putative uncharacterized protein encoded by RHPN1-AS1

Silencing RHPN1-AS1 via siRNA/shRNA inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth in xenograft models. Mechanistically, RHPN1-AS1 sponges specific microRNAs (e.g., miR-6884-5p, miR-299-3p, miR-7-5p), leading to the release/upregulation of oncogenic targets such as TOP2A, FGF2, ETS1, EGFR, and others.