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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
Published on: November 14, 2019
Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of circular RNA in brain tumors
Keisuke Katsushima1,2, Kandarp Joshi1,2, Ranjan J Perera1,2
1Department of Neurosurgery and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of RNA with a stable cyclic structure. They are expressed in various tissues and cells with conserved, specific characteristics. CircRNAs have been found to play critical roles in a wide range of cellular processes by regulating gene expression at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels. There is an accumulation of evidence on newly discovered circRNAs, their molecular interactions, and their roles in the development and progression of human brain tumors, including cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, invasion, and chemoresistance. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge of the circRNAs that have been implicated in brain tumor pathogenesis, particularly in gliomas and medulloblastomas. In providing a comprehensive overview of circRNA studies, we highlight how different circRNAs have oncogenic or tumor-suppressive roles in brain tumors, making them attractive therapeutic targets and biomarkers for personalized therapy and precision diagnostics. This review article discusses circRNAs' functional roles and the prospect of using them as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in patients with brain tumors.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are cyclic RNA molecules involved in gene regulation. This review highlights their roles in brain tumor development, offering potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Oncology
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable cyclic RNA molecules with conserved characteristics across tissues.
- CircRNAs regulate gene expression at epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels.
- Emerging evidence links circRNAs to human brain tumor development, including gliomas and medulloblastomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current knowledge on circRNAs in brain tumor pathogenesis.
- To highlight the dual oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of circRNAs in brain tumors.
- To discuss the potential of circRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of circRNA research in brain tumors.
- Analysis of molecular interactions and functional roles of specific circRNAs.
- Synthesis of findings on circRNAs in glioma and medulloblastoma.
Main Results:
- CircRNAs play critical roles in brain tumor progression, affecting proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and chemoresistance.
- Specific circRNAs exhibit either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive functions in brain tumors.
- CircRNAs are implicated in the pathogenesis of gliomas and medulloblastomas.
Conclusions:
- CircRNAs represent promising biomarkers for precision diagnostics in brain tumors.
- CircRNAs offer potential as therapeutic targets for personalized treatment strategies.
- Further research into circRNA functions can advance brain tumor management.
