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Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
Published on: November 14, 2019
Circular RNAs: implications of signaling pathways and bioinformatics in human cancer
Fan Hu1, Yin Peng1, Xinmin Fan1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
Abstract:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) form a class of endogenous single-stranded RNA transcripts that are widely expressed in eukaryotic cells. These RNAs mediate post-transcriptional control of gene expression and have multiple functions in biological processes, such as transcriptional regulation and splicing. They serve predominantly as microRNA sponges, RNA-binding proteins, and templates for translation. More importantly, circRNAs are involved in cancer progression, and may serve as promising biomarkers for tumor diagnosis and therapy. Although traditional experimental methods are usually time-consuming and laborious, substantial progress has been made in exploring potential circRNA-disease associations by using computational models, summarized signaling pathway data, and other databases. Here, we review the biological characteristics and functions of circRNAs, including their roles in cancer. Specifically, we focus on the signaling pathways associated with carcinogenesis, and the status of circRNA-associated bioinformatics databases. Finally, we explore the potential roles of circRNAs as prognostic biomarkers in cancer.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators in gene expression and biological processes. These molecules show significant roles in cancer progression and hold promise as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous RNA transcripts regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- They function as microRNA sponges, RNA-binding proteins, and translation templates.
- circRNAs are implicated in various biological processes, including cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological characteristics and functions of circRNAs, with a focus on their roles in cancer.
- To examine signaling pathways associated with carcinogenesis and circRNA involvement.
- To assess the current status of circRNA-associated bioinformatics databases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of circRNA biological characteristics and functions.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involved in cancer development.
- Evaluation of circRNA-disease association studies and bioinformatics databases.
Main Results:
- circRNAs play diverse roles in gene regulation, including transcriptional regulation and splicing.
- They are significantly involved in cancer progression and can act as biomarkers.
- Computational models and databases are advancing the study of circRNA-disease associations.
Conclusions:
- circRNAs are crucial in cellular functions and cancer development.
- circRNAs hold potential as prognostic biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
- Further research into circRNA-associated bioinformatics is essential for clinical applications.
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