ASDURF (ASNSD1 upstream open reading frame) is a microprotein encoded by an upstream open reading frame in the 5' UTR of ASNSD1 mRNA and functions as the 12th subunit of the PAQosome, a multi-subunit prefoldin-like chaperone complex 1. The protein displays structural homology to β-prefoldins and assembles with other prefoldin subunits to form a heterohexameric prefoldin-like module 1. ASDURF promotes protein stabilization through its role in the PAQosome-mediated biogenesis of human protein complexes 1. In cancer contexts, ASDURF is upregulated in high-risk childhood medulloblastoma where it associates with MYC-family oncogenes and promotes cell survival through engagement with the prefoldin-like chaperone complex 2. Beyond oncology, ASDURF regulates hepatic fibrosis development by modulating transforming growth factor-β1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways, with elevated ASDURF levels correlating with advanced liver fibrosis 3. These findings underscore the clinical significance of ASDURF as both a cancer survival factor and a potential therapeutic target in fibrotic diseases, while demonstrating the importance of characterizing non-canonical ORF-encoded proteins in disease pathogenesis.