Vault RNA2-1 (nc886)

nc886, officially known as Vault RNA2-1, is a 101 nucleotide long non-coding RNA that was initially classified as a vault RNA and later proposed as a precursor for microRNAs. It is transcribed by RNA polymerase III and is subject to epigenetic regulation, particularly through CpG island methylation in its promoter region. nc886 functions as a tumor suppressor in several cancers, including prostate and gastric cancer, where its expression is often silenced by promoter hypermethylation. It exerts its tumor suppressive effects by inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, and regulating cell cycle progression. nc886 is also known to bind and regulate the activity of Protein Kinase RNA-activated (PKR), a key player in innate immunity and stress response. The RNA exists in two structurally distinct conformers, one of which is a potent inhibitor of PKR, while the other acts as a weak activator or pseudoinhibitor. nc886 can also be processed into small RNAs (snc886-3p and snc886-5p) that exhibit microRNA-like functions, further contributing to its regulatory roles. Its expression and methylation status are being investigated as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer.

Other names

vtRNA2-1pre-miR-886CBL3hvg-5VTRNA2-1