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Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
08:25

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing

Published on: November 14, 2019

12.4K

Emerging role of circular RNAs in breast cancer

Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard1, Bashdar Mahmud Hussen2, Mohammad Taheri3

  • 1Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Pathology, Research and Practice
|May 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play key roles in breast cancer development. These non-coding RNAs influence tumor growth and treatment resistance, often by acting as miRNA sponges.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules with diverse regulatory functions.
  • circRNAs can influence gene expression by acting as miRNA sponges, interacting with RNA-binding proteins, and affecting transcription and splicing.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the significant involvement of circRNAs in the progression of breast cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current research on the role of circRNAs in breast cancer.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which circRNAs contribute to breast cancer development and progression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating circRNAs in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of microarray data identifying differentially expressed circRNAs in breast cancer samples.
  • Examination of mechanistic studies detailing circRNA functions in cancer.

Main Results:

  • circRNAs exhibit altered expression patterns in breast cancer, with some upregulated (e.g., circ-TFF1, circPLK1) and others downregulated (e.g., hsa_circ_0000375, circYap).
  • These circRNAs impact critical cancer hallmarks, including tumor growth, metastasis, stemness, and therapeutic resistance.
  • A primary mechanism involves circRNAs sequestering microRNAs (miRNAs), thereby modulating miRNA target gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • circRNAs are integral regulators in breast cancer pathogenesis.
  • Dysregulation of specific circRNAs contributes to various aspects of breast cancer.
  • Targeting circRNAs or their interactions may offer novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
Keywords:
BiomarkersBreast cancerExpressionPolymorphismcircRNA

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