LncRNA ZFAS1: Role in tumorigenesis and other diseases

Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Oct:142:111999. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111999. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Abstract

Residing on chromosome 20q13.13, Zinc Finger NFX1-Type Containing 1 (ZNFX1) antisense RNA 1 (ZFAS1) is a transcript which has been primarily recognized as a modulator of differentiation of alveolar and epithelial cell in the mammary gland. This long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) partakes in the molecular cascades leading to several non-neoplastic conditions such as osteoarthritis, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis, myocardial infarction, and cardiac dysfunction. More importantly, ZFAS1 is considered as an oncogene in almost all types of cancers. Using expression amounts of ZFAS1, it is possible to forecast the clinical outcome of patients with different neoplasms such as colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, and other types of cancer. We describe the role of ZFAS1 in the development of neoplastic and non-neoplastic disorders.

Keywords: Biomarker; Cancer; Expression; LncRNA; ZFAS1.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • ZFAS1 long non-coding RNA, human