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The roles and mechanisms of circular RNAs related to mTOR in cancers

Chunli Cao1,2, Yao Wang1,3, Xinxin Wu1,3

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.

Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
|November 25, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) play crucial roles in cancer. This review details how circRNA-mTOR interactions regulate various cancers through key signaling pathways, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic insights.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed molecules critical in cancer occurrence, progression, and treatment.
  • Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator in cancer, influencing proliferation, migration, invasion, autophagy, and apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the expression, function, and mechanisms of circRNA-associated mTOR in various cancers.
  • To elucidate the role of circRNA-mTOR interactions in cancer signaling pathways and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of PubMed and CNKI databases.
  • Inclusion of articles using keywords: "circRNA," "mTOR," "cancer," "signaling pathway," "biomarker," "diagnosis," "treatment."
  • Analysis of both Chinese and English language publications.

Main Results:

  • CircRNA-associated mTOR regulates cancer progression and therapy across multiple signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/mTOR, AMPK/mTOR).
  • Specific circRNAs are implicated in various cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, renal, bladder, prostate, ovarian, endometrial, lung, thyroid, glioma, osteosarcoma, leukemia, and breast cancers.
  • CircRNA-mTOR interactions present potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • CircRNA-mTOR signaling is a significant factor in the development and progression of diverse cancers.
  • Understanding these interactions can lead to novel diagnostic tools and targeted cancer therapies.
  • Further research into specific circRNA-mTOR pathways may unlock new treatment avenues.
Keywords:
cancercircRNAfunctionmTORmechanism

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