The LINK-A lncRNA interacts with PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 to hyperactivate AKT and confer resistance to AKT inhibitors

Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P 3 or PIP 3 ) mediates signalling pathways as a second messenger in response to extracellular signals. Although primordial functions of phospholipids and RNAs have been hypothesized in the ‘RNA world’, physiological RNA–phospholipid interactions and their involvement in essential cellular processes have remained a mystery. We explicate the contribution of lipid-binding long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer cells. Among them, long intergenic non-coding RNA for kinase activation ( LINK-A ) directly interacts with the AKT pleckstrin homology domain and PIP 3 at the single-nucleotide level, facilitating AKT–PIP 3 interaction and consequent enzymatic activation. LINK-A -dependent AKT hyperactivation leads to tumorigenesis and resistance to AKT inhibitors. Genomic deletions of the LINK-A PIP 3 -binding motif dramatically sensitized breast cancer cells to AKT inhibitors. Furthermore, meta-analysis showed the correlation between LINK-A expression and incidence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs12095274: A > G), AKT phosphorylation status, and poor outcomes for breast and lung cancer patients. PIP 3 -binding lncRNA modulates AKT activation with broad clinical implications. Yang and colleagues report that the LINK-A lncRNA binds to the PIP 3 phospholipid, leading to enhanced AKT signalling, tumorigenesis and resistance to AKT inhibitors.