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Updated: May 11, 2026
10:27
In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: October 21, 2022
Circular RNAs in animals: Biogenesis, function and cell fate control.
Rita Mohammad1, Yelena Parfyonova2, Iurii Stafeev3
1Chazov National Medical Research Centre for Cardiology, 121552, Moscow, Russia; Phystech School of Medical and Biological Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technologies, 141701, Dolgoprudny, Russia.
Summary
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable RNA molecules regulating gene expression. Their roles in cell differentiation and development offer potential for bioengineered RNA therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of eukaryotic transcripts with a unique covalently closed circular structure.
- Their stability, cell-specific expression, and conservation across species suggest significant biological roles.
- circRNAs participate in post-transcriptional regulation via interactions with microRNAs and RNA-binding proteins, and can even be translated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on circRNA biogenesis and function.
- To highlight the emerging links between circRNAs and cell fate decisions, including stemness and lineage commitment.
- To discuss the potential of bioengineered circRNAs for therapeutic applications in cell differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on circRNA biogenesis, function, and regulation.
- Analysis of research connecting circRNA dynamics to cellular differentiation and development.
- Exploration of the potential for engineered circRNAs in therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- circRNAs possess diverse molecular functions, including regulatory roles and protein translation.
- circRNA expression is often cell- and tissue-specific and conserved across species.
- circRNA dynamics are increasingly implicated in stemness maintenance and lineage commitment during differentiation.
Conclusions:
- circRNAs represent a significant layer of post-transcriptional gene regulation.
- circRNAs play crucial roles in cell differentiation and development.
- Bioengineered circRNAs hold promise as programmable platforms for targeted cell differentiation and RNA-based therapies.
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