Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2025

10:27
In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: October 21, 2022
1.6K
Circulating circRNA: a social butterfly in tumors
Shuo Miao1,2, Qingsong Zhang1
1Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
Frontiers in Oncology
|August 7, 2023
Summary
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable molecules in blood that communicate between cells. This review explores their role in cancer development and potential as biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with a unique structure.
- Aberrant circRNA expression is linked to various cancers.
- Circulating circRNAs in blood are highly stable and show promise as biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on cell-cell communication mediated by circulating circRNAs.
- To explore the role of circulating circRNAs in tumor pathological processes.
- To highlight the application value of circulating circRNAs in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on circRNAs in cancer.
- Analysis of mechanisms of cell-cell communication involving circulating circRNAs.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on circRNAs as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Circulating circRNAs mediate intercellular communication in tumors.
- These molecules influence tumorigenesis, immunity, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
- Their stability and regulatory roles underscore their biomarker potential.
Conclusions:
- Circulating circRNAs play a significant role in tumor progression via cell communication.
- Understanding these mechanisms can enhance their utility as cancer biomarkers.
- Circulating circRNAs represent promising targets for cancer therapy.
Related Concept Videos
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
8.6K
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
8.6K
MicroRNAs
21.4K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
21.4K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
3.8K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
The Tumor Microenvironment
6.7K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.7K

