WWC2 antisense RNA 1 (WWC2-AS1)

WWC2 antisense RNA 1 (WWC2-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with no protein-coding potential, identified as differentially expressed in radiation-induced intestinal fibrosis (RIF)[1][2]. It is highly upregulated in affected tissues, where it acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging microRNA miR-16, thereby releasing repression on fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) mRNA and promoting FGF2-associated cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and fibrosis[1][2]. Loss of WWC2-AS1 inhibits these profibrotic processes[1]. Its dysregulation has been implicated more broadly in fibrotic diseases and, potentially, in cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disorders via modulation of gene expression through ceRNA networks[1]. WWC2-AS1 is not a classical therapeutic target such as a receptor or enzyme and, as of now, no drugs are reported to act directly on it[1][2]. The transcript is referenced as ENSG00000251128 or ENST00000511846 and located on chromosome 4:183,233,628-183,240,634 (reverse strand)[1].

Other names

WWC2-AS1WWC2 antisense RNA 1 (non-protein coding)ENSG00000251128ENST00000511846

Not targeted by approved drugs; *biological mechanism* — acts as a ceRNA, sponging miR-16 to regulate FGF2 expression