Circular RNAs: Methodological challenges and perspectives in cardiovascular diseases

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are formed by precursor-mRNA back-splicing.
• Despite long-standing knowledge, their widespread regulatory functions are recently appreciated.
• circRNA dysregulation is implicated in various diseases, including cardiovascular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map current knowledge on circular RNAs.
• To identify critical issues limiting understanding of circRNA regulation and function.
• To guide researchers in selecting appropriate experimental approaches for circRNA analysis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and knowledge synthesis.
• Analysis of challenges in circRNA detection, differential expression, and validation.
• Focus on circRNAs in the context of cardiovascular diseases.

Main Results:

• circRNAs possess significant regulatory roles in biological processes.
• Challenges persist in the comprehensive characterization and validation of circRNAs.
• Existing methodologies require critical evaluation for experimental planning.

Conclusions:

• Understanding circRNA biology is crucial, especially in disease pathogenesis.
• Standardized best practices for circRNA research are still lacking.
• This review provides a framework for critically assessing circRNA research methodologies.