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Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
08:25

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing

Published on: November 14, 2019

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The emerging functions and roles of circular RNAs in cancer

Shibin Qu1, Zhengcai Liu1, Xisheng Yang1

  • 1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Cancer Letters
|November 28, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are newly recognized as translatable molecules, expanding their known roles beyond gene regulation. This review explores their emerging functions in cancer development and progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are RNA molecules formed by backsplicing, widely expressed across species.
  • circRNAs regulate gene expression by sponging microRNAs/proteins and affecting transcription/splicing.
  • Aberrant circRNA expression is linked to various cancer types, influencing tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate circRNA functions and roles specifically within the context of cancer.
  • To discuss the current understanding of circRNA biological activities.
  • To highlight the emerging significance of circRNAs in cancer development and progression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on circRNAs.
  • Analysis of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics data.
  • Discussion of recent findings on circRNA translation and function.

Main Results:

  • circRNAs were initially considered noncoding due to lack of 5' cap and ribosome binding evidence.
  • Recent studies demonstrate that endogenous circRNAs can be translated in a cap-independent manner.
  • This discovery redefines circRNA functions and adds complexity to eukaryotic transcriptomes.

Conclusions:

  • circRNAs possess diverse regulatory functions, including protein-coding potential.
  • Their dysregulation in cancer highlights their critical roles in tumorigenesis.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate circRNA functions and therapeutic potential in cancer.
Keywords:
BacksplicingBiomarkerCancerCircular RNAN(6)-methyladenosineceRNA

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