Circular RNAs as Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Human Diseases

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), which has the formation of reverse splicing of mRNAs. Interest in their regulatory function has recently been increasing. The most important features are its stability between species, its high abundance, and its evolutionary conservation. As a cellular function, circular RNAs are involved in transcriptional modulation and splicing from miRNA and protein sponges. In addition, they are differentially expressed in pathological conditions occurring in diseases, creating their potential as biomarkers. Resistance to RNases makes circular RNAs a less invasive biomarker. Studies on human tumors and other diseases have confirmed the regulatory role and expression profiles of circular RNAs in disease progenesis. This article discusses in detail the properties, functions, and mechanisms of action of circRNAs in human diseases. We also discuss the possibility of using circRNAs as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for human diseases.