Vault RNA 2-1 (VTRNA2-1)

Vault RNA 2-1 (VTRNA2-1) is a small non-coding RNA (84 nucleotides) highly conserved and widely expressed in vertebrates, though not physically associated with the canonical vault ribonucleoprotein complex. It carries multiple aliases, including nc886, and was previously misclassified as a microRNA precursor (pre-miR-886) but is now established as a regulatory sncRNA. VTRNA2-1 has critical cellular roles: it regulates translation by sequestering RNA-binding proteins such as HuR, thereby impeding their ability to promote translation of key target mRNAs (e.g., claudin 1, occludin)[2]. It is a negative regulator of PKR (protein kinase R), dampening the cellular stress and interferon response pathways that PKR mediates[3]. VTRNA2-1 is implicated in modulation of cell proliferation[1], epithelial barrier integrity, immune responses, and has dual pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions depending on tissue and context, largely through epigenetic silencing. High expression or hypomethylation of VTRNA2-1 is associated with reduced tumor risk, while its hypermethylation correlates with increased cancer susceptibility and progression. There is no evidence it is a classical therapeutic target (drugged directly), but its methylation status is a promising biomarker in oncology and inflammation-related pathologies[2][3][1].

Other names

vtRNA2hvg-5CBL-3hsa-mir-886nc886pre-miR-886svtRNA2-1acord blood lymphocyte-derived noncoding RNA 3microRNA 886noncoding RNA 886MIR886MIRN886VTRNA2

Regulates translation by binding RNA-binding proteins (e.g., HuR) and competing with mRNAs for protein interaction; Inhibits PKR activation by direct binding and sequestration; Acts as a riboregulator or miRNA-like modulator of gene targets.