Chromosome 14 open reading frame 166 (C14orf166) encodes a 28‑kDa nuclear and cytoplasmic protein that is involved in viral infection, RNA metabolism, and centrosome structure. It binds to the polymerase acidic protein subunit of the influenza A virus, which is associated with several transcription factors, RNA polymerase II, to activate transcription initiation and promote virus infection. It also interacts with a mature hepatitis C virus core protein to regulate the infection process. In physiological conditions, C14orf166 associates with the proteins, DDX1, HSPC117 and FAM98B, and regulates RNA metabolism and fate. In addition, C14orf166 is overexpressed in a variety of cancer types. Upregulation of C14orf166 may contribute toward cancer malignancy through its impact on glycogen synthase kinase 3β‑mediated signaling, the downregulation of retinoblastoma protein, or the upregulation of IL‑6. Therefore, C14orf166 could be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of various cancer types. This review summarized the existent literature about C14orf166, focusing on its functions in physiological and pathological situations.
Keywords: chromosome 14 open reading frame 166; cancer; RNA; glycogen synthase kinase 3β; JKA2/STAT3.