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The Regulatory Functions of Circular RNAs in Digestive System Cancers

Xiao Yuan1,2, Ya Yuan1,2, Zhi He1

  • 1College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.

Cancers
|March 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key in digestive system cancers, acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. This review highlights their functions as microRNA sponges and potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed RNA molecules gaining research interest.
  • Evidence links circRNAs to the development of various diseases, notably digestive system cancers.
  • Dysregulated circRNAs function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in these cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent advancements in understanding circRNA biological functions in digestive system cancers.
  • To explore the role of circRNAs in cancer-related cellular processes like apoptosis, invasion, migration, and proliferation.
  • To identify circRNAs as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for digestive system cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on circRNAs in digestive system cancers.
  • Analysis of circRNA involvement in gene regulation, protein binding, and microRNA sponging.
  • Focus on circRNAs acting as microRNA sponges in the context of digestive system cancers.

Main Results:

  • CircRNAs exhibit diverse biological functions, including regulating splicing, transcription, and protein binding.
  • In digestive system cancers, circRNAs primarily function as microRNA sponges.
  • Altered circRNA expression is associated with key cancer cell behaviors and tumorigenesis.

Conclusions:

  • CircRNAs play significant roles in the pathogenesis of digestive system cancers.
  • CircRNAs, particularly as miRNA sponges, represent promising therapeutic targets.
  • Further research into circRNAs can lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for digestive system cancer.
Keywords:
action mechanismcircRNAsdigestive system cancerfunction

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