WEE2 antisense RNA 1 (WEE2-AS1)

WEE2 antisense RNA 1 (WEE2-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and antisense transcript of the WEE2 gene. It is primarily expressed in the cytoplasm but also localizes to the nucleus[1][2]. WEE2-AS1 has been shown to regulate the expression of WEE2 and to impact cell cycle progression by modulating the G2/M transition, likely through its influence on mitosis-related pathways, such as the WEE2-CDK1 axis[1]. Functionally, WEE2-AS1 is elevated in several cancers (including glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and breast cancer), where it promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and can serve as an oncogenic driving factor[3][4][5][6]. In glioblastoma, it acts through both miRNA sponging (miR-520f-3p) and stability regulation of proteins such as RPN2 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway[5][6]. WEE2-AS1 is also elevated in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans and participates in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis by affecting endothelial cell viability[1]. Given these properties, it is under investigation as both a disease biomarker and a potential therapeutic target, but currently, there are no approved drugs that target WEE2-AS1, and its development as a therapeutic target is still preclinical.

Other names

WEE2-AS1lncRNA WEE2-AS1

Acts as a molecular sponge for microRNAs (e.g., miR-520f-3p). Regulates stability of protein partners (e.g., RPN2 through ubiquitin-proteasome activity). Modulates the expression of the sense WEE2 gene, influencing the G2/M cell cycle transition.