VWA8 antisense RNA 1 (VWA8-AS1)

VWA8 antisense RNA 1 (VWA8-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) of 2091 nucleotides, transcribed head-to-head relative to the VWA8 gene and not coding for protein. VWA8-AS1 is upregulated in certain cancers, notably in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. Functional studies indicate that overexpression of VWA8-AS1 promotes cancer cell migration and invasion, implicating it in tumor progression and metastasis, while not significantly affecting cell proliferation. Bioinformatic analyses suggest it may act through interactions with multiple proteins (including important transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins), miRNAs, and participate in several regulatory pathways (e.g., p53, TGF-β, apoptosis, PI3K-AKT, MAPK, Hippo, and NF-κB pathways). It may also influence immune cell behavior in the tumor microenvironment. Dysregulated expression of VWA8-AS1 has been linked to gastric, thyroid, and kidney cancers and is being explored for its utility as a diagnostic marker or therapeutic target in EBV-associated cancers, though no drugs or targeted therapies against VWA8-AS1 are currently described[1][2].

Other names

VWA8 antisense RNA 1 (head to head)VWA8-AS1VWA8 antisense RNA 1 (non-protein coding)