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The Emerging Roles and Clinical Potential of circSMARCA5 in Cancer
Changning Xue1,2,3, Jianxia Wei1,2,3, Mengna Li1,2,3
1NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
Abstract:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of endogenous non-coding RNA and a critical epigenetic regulation way that have a closed-loop structure and are highly stable, conserved, and tissue-specific, and they play an important role in the development of many diseases, including tumors, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. CircSMARCA5 is a circRNA formed by its parental gene SMARCA5 via back splicing which is dysregulated in expression in a variety of tumors and is involved in tumor development with dual functions as an oncogene or tumor suppressor. It not only serves as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by binding to various miRNAs, but it also interacts with RNA binding protein (RBP), regulating downstream gene expression; it also aids in DNA damage repair by regulating the transcription and expression of its parental gene. This review systematically summarized the expression and characteristics, dual biological functions, and molecular regulatory mechanisms of circSMARCA5 involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression as well as the potential applications in early diagnosis and gene targeting therapy in tumors.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable epigenetic regulators. CircSMARCA5, a specific circRNA, shows dual roles in cancer, acting as an oncogene or tumor suppressor through various molecular mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Oncology
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs with a stable, closed-loop structure.
- They are crucial epigenetic regulators involved in various diseases, including cancers, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases.
- CircSMARCA5, derived from the SMARCA5 gene, is dysregulated in tumors and exhibits dual functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the expression, characteristics, and biological functions of circSMARCA5 in carcinogenesis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying circSMARCA5's roles in tumor development and progression.
- To explore the potential of circSMARCA5 in early cancer diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on circSMARCA5 expression and function in various cancers.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms including circSMARCA5 acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for microRNAs (miRNAs).
- Investigation of circSMARCA5 interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and its role in DNA damage repair and gene regulation.
Main Results:
- CircSMARCA5 exhibits dysregulated expression in numerous tumors, functioning as either an oncogene or a tumor suppressor.
- It regulates downstream gene expression by sequestering miRNAs and interacting with RBPs.
- CircSMARCA5 influences DNA damage repair and the expression of its parental gene, SMARCA5.
Conclusions:
- CircSMARCA5 possesses dual biological functions and complex molecular regulatory mechanisms in cancer.
- Understanding circSMARCA5's role is vital for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cancer.
- Further research into circSMARCA5 could pave the way for innovative cancer treatments.
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