RUNX2 antisense RNA 1 (RUNX2-AS1)

RUNX2 antisense RNA 1 (RUNX2-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that maps antisense to the RUNX2 gene locus and is composed of at least two exons on the reverse strand of the last intron of RUNX2[1]. This lncRNA functions primarily as a negative regulator of the RUNX2 transcription factor, which is a master regulator of osteogenesis and also implicated in oncogenesis[3][2]. Studies have shown that RUNX2-AS1 is downregulated in several cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, where its lower expression correlates with higher levels of RUNX2 and increased cell proliferation[3][2]. Overexpression of RUNX2-AS1 inhibits cancer cell proliferation by suppressing RUNX2 expression, suggesting a tumor-suppressive role for this lncRNA. Its levels in plasma or tissue samples may serve as potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for cancer, but RUNX2-AS1 itself is not currently targeted by any approved drugs and poses challenges for therapeutic development due to the general complexities of targeting lncRNAs in vivo[3][2].

Other names

RUNX2-AS1ENST00000563807.1 (transcript)AL096865.1 (in some contexts, partially overlaps RUNX2 locus)

Downregulation of RUNX2 transcription factor (acts as an upstream inhibitor of RUNX2 expression)