SOX21 antisense RNA 1 (SOX21-AS1) (SOX21-AS1)

SOX21 antisense RNA 1 (SOX21-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed from the antisense strand of the SOX21 gene locus on chromosome 13q32.1 (GeneCards, NCBI Gene ID: 100507045). It has emerged as a significant oncogenic driver across various human malignancies, including lung, gastric, and hepatocellular carcinomas, where its elevated expression is frequently linked to advanced clinical stage and poor prognosis (PubMed: 31486145, 30564285). The primary mechanism of SOX21-AS1 involves acting as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) or "molecular sponge" for several microRNAs, such as miR-7, miR-145, and miR-24, thereby preventing these miRNAs from silencing their oncogenic target mRNAs (PubMed: 31119854, 30564285). Additionally, SOX21-AS1 participates in the regulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell cycle progression, facilitating tumor cell migration and invasion (PubMed: 31233789). While no FDA-approved drugs currently target SOX21-AS1, it is being actively researched as a potential therapeutic target using RNA interference (RNAi) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in preclinical models (PubMed: 32853845). Given its specific expression patterns in cancerous tissues compared to normal tissues, SOX21-AS1 also serves as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in oncology (PubMed: 33055341).

Other names

SOX21-AS1SOX21 antisense RNA 1SOX21AS1

Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) sponging of microRNAs and epigenetic regulation of gene expression.