RUSC1 antisense RNA 1 (RUSC1-AS1)

RUSC1 antisense RNA 1 (RUSC1-AS1) is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) gene located in the chromosome 1 open reading frame 104 (C1orf104) region. RUSC1-AS1 does not encode a functional protein but is transcribed as RNA that functions as a regulatory molecule in several types of cancer. Its overexpression correlates with tumor aggressiveness, increased proliferation, migration, invasion, and reduced apoptosis, especially in cervical, breast, hepatocellular carcinoma, and osteosarcoma tissues. Mechanistically, RUSC1-AS1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), sponging specific microRNAs—including miR-744 in cervical cancer, miR-101-3p and miR-340-5p in osteosarcoma, and miR-326 in breast cancer—to upregulate oncogenic targets such as BCL2, NOTCH3, Notch1, and XRCC5. Its role in key oncogenic pathways (e.g., NOTCH, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, Ras-ERK) positions RUSC1-AS1 as a potential biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and possibly as a future therapeutic target. However, to date, no approved drugs directly target RUSC1-AS1, and it remains under investigation as a noncoding RNA associated with cancer progression.

Other names

C1orf104FLJ35976Putative uncharacterized protein RUSC1-AS1RUSC1 antisense gene protein 1

Not applicable (no direct drugs). However, mechanistically, RUSC1-AS1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging microRNAs (e.g., miR-744, miR-101-3p, miR-326) to modulate expression of oncogenes such as BCL2, NOTCH3, Notch1, and XRCC5.