Insights into circular RNAs: Biogenesis, function and their regulatory roles in cardiovascular disease

Abstract

As a distinctive member of the noncoding RNA family, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are generated from single‐stranded, covalently closed structures and are ubiquitous in mammalian cells and tissues. Due to its atypical circular architecture, it was conventionally deemed insignificant dark matter for a prolonged duration. Nevertheless, studies conducted over the last decade have demonstrated that this abundant, structurally stable and tissue‐specific RNA has been increasingly relevant in diverse diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Therefore, regulatory pathways controlled by circRNAs are widely involved in the occurrence and pathological processes of CVDs through their function as miRNA sponges, protein sponges and protein scaffolds. To better understand the role of circRNAs and their complex regulatory networks in CVDs, we summarize current knowledge of their biogenesis and function and the latest research on circRNAs in CVDs, with the hope of paving the way for the identification of promising biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for CVDs.

The Glioblastoma CircularRNAome

“…In contrast, circRNAs are produced through a different competitive mechanism, backsplicing, which requires the addition of a 3 -5 phosphodiester bond that covalently connects the 3 splice site to the 5 splice site. Backsplicing is tightly regulated by various transcription factors, RNA-binding proteins, cis acting elements, and trans acting elements [17]. Regarding the backsplicing mechanism, two models were proposed [18]-the exon-skipping model (lariat-driven circularization model) and the intron-pairing-driven model.…”

Exploring the evolving roles and clinical significance of circRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

“…Non-coding RNAs refers to RNA molecules in the transcriptome that are not translated into proteins 8 . Circular RNA (circRNA), a predominant class of endogenous non-coding RNA molecules widely expressed in eukaryotic cells, plays roles in various physiological and pathological processes, including neurodegenerative diseases 9 , 10 , cardiovascular diseases 11 , 12 , metabolic diseases 13 , 14 , and cancers 15 - 18 . The present study provides a comprehensive summary of biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in HNSCC, examining their potential applications and clinical translational value in diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy.…”