Methods for Predicting CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Networks: GreenCircRNA and PlantCircNet Databases as Study Cases

Circular RNAs are molecules formed by 3'-5' ligation in a splicing reaction, the so-called backsplicing. Well described in other groups, especially in humans, circRNA studies that include prediction and validation in plants are recent. It has already been shown that circRNAs can interact with microRNAs, acting as sponges, and adding a new layer of complexity in regulating eukaryotic transcription. Here, we cover two up-to-date databases that allow the users to perform analyses of the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions in plants. We choose two databases to demonstrate their functions and compare their approaches to obtain a more robust and reliable interaction network.