Circular RNAs: epigenetic regulators in cancerous and noncancerous skin diseases

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Skin cancer, a common malignancy, lacks complete understanding of its carcinogenesis process.
• Multiple factors, including UV radiation and genetic predispositions, contribute to skin cancer pathogenesis.
• Circular RNAs (circRNAs), endogenous regulatory RNAs, are increasingly recognized for their role in tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the diverse roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in skin cancers and noncancerous diseases.
• To highlight the involvement of specific circRNAs (e.g., hsa_circ_0025039, circANRIL) in skin cancer progression.
• To explore the crosstalk between circRNAs and competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in cancerous conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and summarization of existing research on circRNAs in skin cancer.
• Analysis of molecular pathways targeted by specific circRNAs.
• Investigation of the interplay between circRNAs and ceRNAs in oncogenesis.

Main Results:

• Various circRNAs are implicated in the initiation and progression of skin cancers.
• Specific circRNAs target key molecular players like CDK4, ZEB1, and microRNAs (e.g., miR-889, let-7c-3p).
• Evidence suggests a significant crosstalk between circRNAs and ceRNAs in the context of skin cancer.

Conclusions:

• Circular RNAs represent a significant factor in skin cancer development and progression.
• Understanding circRNA mechanisms offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies in skin cancer treatment.
• Further research into circRNA-ceRNA networks is crucial for advancing skin cancer therapy.