Open Access

Circular RNAs: A novel target among non‑coding RNAs with potential roles in malignant tumors (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Weisong Zhao
    • Man Dong
    • Jinru Pan
    • Yajie Wang
    • Jingyi Zhou
    • Jianjun Ma
    • Shaoyang Liu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 2, 2019     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2019.10637
  • Pages: 3463-3474
  • Copyright: © Zhao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non‑coding RNAs that are generated via alternative back‑splicing, which connects the terminal 5' and 3'ends. Due to their unique loop structure, circRNAs are resistant to ribonucleases and more stable than linear RNAs. In vivo, they are usually highly conserved and stably expressed in tissue/developmental‑stage‑specific manners. Generally, circRNAs function as microRNA sponges and splicing regulators, as well as in protein binding and transcription. Some circRNAs contain open reading frames with internal ribosomal entry site elements and can thus encode specific proteins. Previously, circRNAs were thought to be erroneous splicing products or by‑products of mRNA splicing. With the development of the next‑generation sequencing techniques, it has become increasingly clear that circRNAs are abundantly widespread in eukaryotes and that they play significant roles in malignant tumor progression. The present review briefly introduces the biogenesis and functions of circRNAs, as well as summarizes recent research in several common malignancies. The present review also addresses the prospects of circRNAs in clinical applications.
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October-2019
Volume 20 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Zhao W, Dong M, Pan J, Wang Y, Zhou J, Ma J and Liu S: Circular RNAs: A novel target among non‑coding RNAs with potential roles in malignant tumors (Review). Mol Med Rep 20: 3463-3474, 2019.
APA
Zhao, W., Dong, M., Pan, J., Wang, Y., Zhou, J., Ma, J., & Liu, S. (2019). Circular RNAs: A novel target among non‑coding RNAs with potential roles in malignant tumors (Review). Molecular Medicine Reports, 20, 3463-3474. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2019.10637
MLA
Zhao, W., Dong, M., Pan, J., Wang, Y., Zhou, J., Ma, J., Liu, S."Circular RNAs: A novel target among non‑coding RNAs with potential roles in malignant tumors (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 20.4 (2019): 3463-3474.
Chicago
Zhao, W., Dong, M., Pan, J., Wang, Y., Zhou, J., Ma, J., Liu, S."Circular RNAs: A novel target among non‑coding RNAs with potential roles in malignant tumors (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 20, no. 4 (2019): 3463-3474. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2019.10637