Urothelial cancer associated 1 (non-protein coding) (UCA1)

Urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) is a long non-coding RNA, originally identified as upregulated in bladder transitional cell carcinoma, with transcripts of 1.4, 2.2, and 2.7 kb in length[3][7]. UCA1 is highly expressed in several malignancies and modulates tumorigenesis by regulating cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and drug resistance through its actions as a miRNA sponge and regulator of multiple cancer-associated signaling pathways[1][4][2][5][8]. UCA1 overexpression is linked with poor prognosis and therapeutic resistance, and it is actively investigated as a biomarker and an experimental target for gene-based cancer therapies[1][5][3][6]. Key facts: - UCA1 is not a protein, but a regulatory RNA molecule[3]. - It is considered an oncogenic lncRNA, promoting cancer hallmarks[4][1][5][6][8]. - No current approved drugs specifically target UCA1, although it presents a potential therapeutic avenue. - UCA1’s diagnostic/prognostic utility is supported in several tumor types, especially bladder and pancreatic cancers[5][4]. - Mechanisms of function center on competitive inhibition of tumor-suppressor microRNAs and regulation of multiple cancer-critical pathways[1][2][4][8].

Other names

CUDRLINC00178NCRNA00178UCAT1onco-lncRNA-36UCA1 RNAurothelial cancer associated 1human

Proposed mechanisms include acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to sequester microRNAs, modulation of gene expression (such as KRAS, CDK6, CLIC1, HK2, p27), and alteration of multiple signaling pathways to promote proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, and enhance metastasis and drug resistance[1][4][2][8].