Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein mRNA (VASP mRNA)

Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) mRNA is the messenger RNA transcript that encodes the VASP protein, a key member of the Ena/VASP family involved in actin filament assembly and cell motility (NCBI Gene: 7408). The encoded protein regulates the assembly of actin filaments, which is critical for cell motility, shape, and adhesion (UniProt: P50552). In physiological conditions, VASP is highly expressed in platelets and is involved in the regulation of platelet aggregation and vascular permeability (PubMed: 11069895). Pathologically, VASP mRNA is frequently overexpressed in various malignancies, where it facilitates tumor cell invasion and metastasis by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (PubMed: 28656234). Although no clinical drugs currently target VASP mRNA directly, it is a prominent target in preclinical research using siRNA and shRNA to downregulate protein levels and inhibit cancer progression (PubMed: 31233456). The VASP pathway is also a cornerstone in cardiovascular diagnostics, as the phosphorylation of the VASP protein serves as a specific biomarker for the antiplatelet effects of P2Y12 receptor antagonists (PubMed: 21464461). Therapeutic modulation of VASP mRNA offers a potential avenue for treating diseases driven by dysregulated actin dynamics, such as metastatic cancer and certain inflammatory conditions.

Other names

VASP transcriptVasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein messenger RNAVASP mRNA transcript

RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense-mediated degradation of mRNA leading to reduced protein expression.