The novel roles of circRNAs in human cancer

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed, single-stranded RNA molecules derived from introns or exons, prevalent in eukaryotic cells.
• Compared to messenger RNAs (mRNAs), circRNAs exhibit lower expression levels and greater structural stability, primarily residing in the cytoplasm.
• Their cell type and tissue-specific expression suggests potential as novel biomarkers, particularly in cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental characteristics and diverse types of circRNAs.
• To elucidate the biogenesis pathways of circRNAs.
• To discuss the emerging roles of circRNAs in cancer and introduce relevant databases.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on circRNAs.
• Analysis of circRNA biogenesis mechanisms.
• Compilation of known circRNA functions and databases.

Main Results:

• CircRNAs possess unique structural and expression properties making them distinct from linear RNAs.
• Known circRNAs influence cancer development through mechanisms like microRNA (miRNA) sponging, RNA binding protein (RBP) interactions, and protein translation.
• Numerous circRNAs have been identified, but their functional roles remain largely unexplored.

Conclusions:

• CircRNAs represent a significant area of study in RNA biology and cancer research.
• Further investigation is crucial to uncover the full functional repertoire of circRNAs and their therapeutic potential.
• Challenges in circRNA research include low expression levels and the need for advanced analytical tools.