Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous RNAs characterized by a covalent loop structure. In comparison to other types of RNAs, the abundance of circRNAs is relatively low but due to the circular configuration, their stability is very high. In addition, circRNAs display high degree of tissue specificity. The sponging activity of circRNAs toward microRNAs is the best-described mode of action of circRNAs. However, the ability of circRNAs to bind with specific proteins, as well as to encode short proteins, propose alternative functions. This review introduces the biogenesis of circRNAs and summarizes the roles played by circRNAs in human diseases. These include examples of their functional roles in several organ-specific cancers, such as head and neck and breast and lung cancers. In addition, we review potential functions of circRNAs in diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, a growing number of studies have demonstrated involvement of circRNAs in a wide spectrum of signaling molecular pathways, but at the same time many different and controversial views on circRNAs role and function are emerging. We conclude by offering cellular homeostasis generated by networks comprising circular RNAs, other non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins. Accordingly, it is predictable that circRNAs, due to their highly stable nature and remarkable tissue specificity, will emerge as reliable biomarkers of disease course and treatment efficacy.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 468 |
| Journal | Cell Death and Disease |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by AIRC IG 2017 ID 20613 and fondazione AIRC under 5 per mille 2019 - ID. 22759 program - GL Blandino Giovanni. Lazio Innova/ Regione Lazio, MAECI Italy/USA bilateral grant program, and Alliance Against Cancer (ACC). YY laboratory was supported by the European Research Council, the Israel Science Foundation, the Israel Cancer Research Fund, and the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation.
Funding Information:
We would like to thank the support of AIRC, Lazio Innova/Regione Lazio, MAECI Italy/USA bilateral grant program, and Alliance Against Cancer (ACC). Moreover, we would like to thank Professor Yosef Yarden’s laboratory for its kind collaboration. Y.Y. is the incumbent of the Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professorial Chair.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).
