Cancer-related circular RNA: diverse biological functions

Abstract

Noncoding RNAs, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are involved in regulating biological functions. In recent decades, miRNAs and lncRNAs have both inspired a wave of research, but the study of circRNA functions is still in its infancy. Studies have found that circRNAs actively participate in the occurrence and development of various diseases, which emphasizes the importance of circRNAs. Here, we review the features and classification of circRNAs and summarize their functions. Then, we briefly describe how to analyze circRNAs by bioinformatics procedures. In addition, the relationship between circRNAs and cancers is discussed with an emphasis on proving whether circRNAs can be potential biomarkers for the prognosis and diagnosis of cancer.

Transcriptome analyses of urine RNA reveal tumor markers for human bladder cancer: validated amplicons for RT-qPCR-based detection

“…While all of these hits focus on conventional linear transcripts we also noted experimental evidence supporting the existence of circular RNAs that seem to be able to monitor differences between the healthy state and the cancer state. This is reflected by a number of recent studies describing a link between circular RNA and cancer [ 30 , 31 ]. However, such evidence derived from in silico analyses does not necessarily proof that such circRNAs exist in reality.…”

“…Furthermore, they often show tissue- and development stage-specific expression [ 29 ]. This reflects the increasing role of circRNAs for malignant cell proliferation and, hence, as diagnostic tools [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Is the SARS-COV-2 Carcinogenic?

“…CircRNAs when first discovered in late 70s were regarded as products of incorrect splicing of pre-mRNAs. But since 2013, they have been recognised as ubiquitous, single-stranded, stable, highly conserved, cell-and tissue-specific molecules, indicating that they are not erroneous or random by-products in the RNA network [2].…”

Circular RNAs and their role in renal cell carcinoma: a current perspective

“…Different circRNAs and their involvement in various cancer types are summarized in Table 4 . According to the information summarized in the table, various studies on different circRNAs suggest that they play an important role not only in RCC but in other types of cancers also including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioma, lung cancer, bladder cancer and hematological malignancies [ 91 – 93 ]. In these cancer types, differential expression of various circRNAs has been reported suggesting their crucial role in cancer development and progression.…”