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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
08:25

Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing

Published on: November 14, 2019

The translational roles of circular RNAs in cancers and their underlying molecular mechanisms

Xinxin Wu1,2, Xiaohan Ye1, Huiling Chen3

  • 1Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.

Medical Oncology (Northwood, London, England)
|June 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are now known to be translated into proteins, challenging their non-coding status. These translated circRNAs play roles in various human cancers, influencing signaling pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) possess a unique covalently closed structure, differentiating them from linear RNAs.
  • Initially presumed non-coding due to their structure, circRNAs are now recognized for their diverse biological functions.
  • circRNAs are classified into nuclear-encoded (nuc-circRNAs) and mitochondria-encoded (mecciRNAs), with nuc-circRNAs further categorized as EcircRNA, CiRNA, and EIciRNA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the translational mechanisms of circRNAs.
  • To review the biological roles and pathways of circRNA-encoded proteins in human cancers.
  • To highlight the significance of circRNA translation in oncogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on circRNA translation.
  • Analysis of mechanisms including IRES, m6A, RNA editing, EJC, ribosome shunting, and RAN translation.
  • Compilation of data on circRNA-encoded proteins in various cancers.

Main Results:

  • Multiple mechanisms enable circRNA translation into functional proteins or peptides.
  • circRNA-encoded proteins impact biological processes through protein-protein interactions and pathway regulation.
  • circRNA translation is implicated in the pathogenesis of common human cancers like glioblastoma and colorectal cancer.

Conclusions:

  • circRNAs are a novel source of functional proteins with significant roles in cellular processes.
  • The translation of circRNAs represents a new layer of gene regulation with implications for cancer biology.
  • Further research into circRNA translation may reveal new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
CancerCircular RNAInternal ribosomal entry siteN6-methyladenosineTranslation

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