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Circular RNA: An emerging non-coding RNA as a regulator and biomarker in cancer

Bing Chen1, Shenglin Huang1

  • 1Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.

Cancer Letters
|January 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel gene regulators in eukaryotes. These molecules show cell-type specific expression and hold potential as cancer biomarkers due to their stability in extracellular fluids.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed non-coding RNAs.
  • High-throughput sequencing has identified numerous circRNAs in human cells.
  • circRNAs exhibit cell-type specific expression and are implicated in development and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on circRNA classification, biogenesis, and properties.
  • To review the functional roles of circRNAs in cancer.
  • To discuss the clinical implications and biomarker potential of circRNAs in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of high-throughput RNA sequencing data.
  • Bioinformatics analysis of circRNA expression patterns.
  • Synthesis of existing research on circRNA function and clinical relevance.

Main Results:

  • circRNAs play dual roles in cancer, acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors.
  • circRNAs are stable and enriched in extracellular fluids.
  • These characteristics suggest circRNAs are promising cancer biomarkers.

Conclusions:

  • circRNAs represent a significant class of regulatory molecules.
  • Their distinct properties offer potential for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
  • Further research into circRNAs is crucial for understanding their full clinical impact.
Keywords:
BiomarkerCancerCircular RNAMicroRNANoncoding RNA

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