NCBP2-AS2 is a mitochondrial microprotein with dual roles in metabolic regulation and disease pathology. Functionally, it localizes to the inner mitochondrial space where it interacts with translocase of the inner membrane (TIM) chaperones to facilitate ATPase subunit transport and regulate glucose metabolism 1. The protein also functions as a regulator of angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions, designated HIAR (hypoxia-induced angiogenesis regulator), where it promotes VEGFA secretion and endothelial sprouting 2. In disease contexts, NCBP2-AS2 exhibits divergent roles. It is significantly downregulated in Alzheimer's disease brains; NCBP2-AS2 knockout in zebrafish enhanced neurogenesis under amyloid pathology, suggesting neuroprotective functions 1. Conversely, NCBP2-AS2 promotes oncogenic signaling in multiple cancers: it is overexpressed in ovarian cancer stem cells via MEK/ERK/STAT3 pathway activation 3, upregulated in breast cancer 4, and differentially expressed in lung cancer subtypes 5. The encoded microprotein KRASIM suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by directly interacting with and degrading KRAS protein, inhibiting ERK signaling 6. These findings position NCBP2-AS2 as a context-dependent regulator with therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.