The Good, the Bad or Both? Unveiling the Molecular Functions of LINC01133 in Tumors

Background/Objectives: Increasing evidences show lncRNAs as core regulators in the field of tumor progression with context-specific functions in oncogenic tumorigenesis. LINC01133, a lncRNA that has been capped both as oncogene and tumor suppressor, remains largely unexplored on its molecular mechanism. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic search of all cancer types regarding the structural and functional duality of LINC01133, uncovering pathways influenced and evaluating the mechanism of action as a potential therapeutic target or diagnostic biomarker. Methods: In silico analyses were performed to predict the conserved structural elements, variants inside internal loop of LINC01133 and its overall conservation among different vertebrate organisms. This systematic review of literature was compiled with respect to LINC01133 roles summarized from proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Results: LINC01133 harbors the evolutionarily conserved structural motifs that might allow for binding to relevant driver signaling pathways, substantiating its specific functionality. Its action goes beyond classical tumor mechanisms, acting on proliferation, migration, invasion and epigenetic pathways in different types of tumors, according to our in silico results and our narrative review of the literature. Clinical outcome associations indicated its potential as a biomarker. Conclusions: The bidirectional character for tumor biology of LINC01133 further demonstrates its prospective therapeutic value, but the exact mechanisms require further uncovering. Could be used in Cancer diagnostics and target specific therapies by combining omics data. This study establishes LINC01133 as a multifaceted lncRNA, advocating for context-specific strategies in targeting its pathways, and calls for expanded research to harness its full potential in oncology.