Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exhibit a length more than 200 nucleotides and they are characterized by non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) not encoded into proteins. Over the past few years, the role and development of lncRNAs have aroused the rising attention of researchers. To be specific, KCNQ1OT1, the KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1, is clearly classified as a regulatory ncRNA. KCNQ1OT1 is capable of interacting with miRNAs, RNAs and proteins, thereby affecting gene expression and various cell functions (e.g., cell proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, viability, autophagy and inflammation). KCNQ1OT1 is dysregulated in a wide range of human diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and cataract), and it is speculated to act as a therapeutic target for treating various human diseases. On the whole, this review aims to explore the biological functions, underlying mechanisms and pathogenic roles of KCNQ1OT1 in human diseases.

长链非编码 RNA (lncRNA) 的长度超过 200 个核苷酸，它们的特点是非编码 RNA (ncRNA) 不编码成蛋白质。在过去的几年里，lncRNAs的作用和发展引起了研究人员越来越多的关注。具体来说，KCNQ1OT1，即 KCNQ1 反链/反义转录本 1，被明确归类为调节性 ncRNA。KCNQ1OT1 能够与 miRNA、RNA 和蛋白质相互作用，从而影响基因表达和各种细胞功能（例如，细胞增殖、迁移、上皮-间质转化 (EMT)、细胞凋亡、活力、自噬和炎症）。KCNQ1OT1 在多种人类疾病（例如心血管疾病、癌症、糖尿病、骨关节炎、骨质疏松症和白内障）中失调，据推测，它可以作为治疗各种人类疾病的治疗靶点。总体而言，本综述旨在探讨KCNQ1OT1在人类疾病中的生物学功能、潜在机制和致病作用。