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Circular RNAs in diseases
Research Guide
What is Circular RNAs in diseases?
Circular RNAs in diseases refer to a class of covalently closed RNA molecules that function in cellular regulation, particularly as microRNA sponges, and are implicated in disease processes including cancer through dysregulated expression and biomarker potential.
Research on circular RNAs encompasses 36,143 works focused on their biogenesis, regulation, and roles as microRNA sponges with implications in disease. These RNAs exhibit diverse cellular functions, translation potential, exosome association, and splicing involvement. Key studies demonstrate their abundance as a large class of animal RNAs with regulatory potency.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Circular RNA Biogenesis
This sub-topic examines the mechanisms of back-splicing and regulatory factors involved in circular RNA formation during RNA processing. Researchers study splicing factors, intronic sequences, and evolutionary conservation of circRNA production.
Circular RNAs as microRNA Sponges
This area investigates how circRNAs competitively bind miRNAs to derepress target genes, including identification of specific circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. Researchers focus on functional validation in cellular models and disease-specific sponge activities.
Circular RNAs in Cancer
Research explores oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of circRNAs, their use as diagnostic biomarkers, and prognostic signatures in various cancers. Studies include circRNA expression profiling and functional assays in tumor progression.
circRNA Translation and Protein Coding
This sub-topic covers internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-driven translation of circRNAs into functional peptides and their regulatory elements. Researchers investigate coding potential, peptide functions, and detection methods in eukaryotic systems.
Circulating Circular RNAs in Disease
Studies focus on circRNAs in exosomes and blood as stable biomarkers for neurological, cardiovascular, and other diseases. Researchers develop detection assays and correlate plasma circRNA levels with disease states.
Why It Matters
Circular RNAs serve as potential cancer biomarkers due to their stable circulating forms and roles in disease regulation. "Natural RNA circles function as efficient microRNA sponges" by Hansen et al. (2013) showed these RNAs sequester microRNAs, altering gene expression in pathological states. "Circulating microRNAs as stable blood-based markers for cancer detection" by Mitchell et al. (2008) highlighted stable blood-based markers for epithelial malignancies, paralleling circular RNA biomarker research with improved detection approaches needed to reduce cancer morbidity. Exosome associations, as in "Exosome-mediated transfer of mRNAs and microRNAs is a novel mechanism of genetic exchange between cells" by Valadi et al. (2007), extend to circular RNAs facilitating intercellular communication in diseases like cancer.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Natural RNA circles function as efficient microRNA sponges" by Hansen et al. (2013) first, as it directly introduces their core function as miRNA sponges with experimental validation, foundational for disease roles.
Key Papers Explained
"Circular RNAs are a large class of animal RNAs with regulatory potency" by Memczak et al. (2013) established their abundance and potency, building the scale for Hansen et al. (2013)'s functional demonstration of sponging. This pairs with Bartel (2009)'s "MicroRNAs: Target Recognition and Regulatory Functions" on miRNA mechanisms and Valadi et al. (2007)'s exosome transfer, linking circular RNAs to disease communication. Mitchell et al. (2008) extends biomarker potential from these foundations.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Frontiers center on integrating circular RNA sponging with exosome dynamics and cancer profiling, as in the top-cited works. No recent preprints or news available, so current efforts likely refine biomarker validation and splicing regulation from 2013 Nature papers.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MicroRNAs: Target Recognition and Regulatory Functions | 2009 | Cell | 20.0K | ✓ |
| 2 | Exosome-mediated transfer of mRNAs and microRNAs is a novel me... | 2007 | Nature Cell Biology | 12.5K | ✕ |
| 3 | The functions of animal microRNAs | 2004 | Nature | 10.8K | ✕ |
| 4 | MicroRNA expression profiles classify human cancers | 2005 | Nature | 9.5K | ✕ |
| 5 | Natural RNA circles function as efficient microRNA sponges | 2013 | Nature | 8.3K | ✕ |
| 6 | Circular RNAs are a large class of animal RNAs with regulatory... | 2013 | Nature | 8.3K | ✕ |
| 7 | Circulating microRNAs as stable blood-based markers for cancer... | 2008 | Proceedings of the Nat... | 7.8K | ✓ |
| 8 | Oncomirs — microRNAs with a role in cancer | 2006 | Nature reviews. Cancer | 7.0K | ✕ |
| 9 | MicroRNAs: small RNAs with a big role in gene regulation | 2004 | Nature Reviews Genetics | 7.0K | ✕ |
| 10 | Biogenesis, Secretion, and Intercellular Interactions of Exoso... | 2014 | Annual Review of Cell ... | 6.0K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary functions of circular RNAs in diseases?
Circular RNAs act as microRNA sponges, sequestering miRNAs to regulate gene expression in disease contexts. "Natural RNA circles function as efficient microRNA sponges" by Hansen et al. (2013) demonstrated their high efficiency in this role. They also participate in cellular functions, translation, and exosome-mediated transfer.
How do circular RNAs relate to cancer biomarkers?
Circular RNAs show promise as stable cancer biomarkers due to dysregulated expression in tumors. This parallels microRNA profiles that classify human cancers, as in "MicroRNA expression profiles classify human cancers" by Lü et al. (2005). Their circulating forms enable blood-based detection, similar to findings in "Circulating microRNAs as stable blood-based markers for cancer detection" by Mitchell et al. (2008).
What is the biogenesis and scale of circular RNAs?
Circular RNAs form a large class of animal RNAs produced through back-splicing with regulatory potency. "Circular RNAs are a large class of animal RNAs with regulatory potency" by Memczak et al. (2013) identified thousands of such circles. The field includes 36,143 works on their biogenesis and regulation.
How do exosomes interact with circular RNAs in diseases?
Exosomes mediate transfer of RNAs, including potential circular RNA cargo, enabling genetic exchange between cells. "Exosome-mediated transfer of mRNAs and microRNAs is a novel mechanism of genetic exchange between cells" by Valadi et al. (2007) established this mechanism. This supports circular RNA roles in intercellular communication during disease.
What role do microRNAs play alongside circular RNAs in disease?
MicroRNAs regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs, with circular RNAs sponging them in competition. "MicroRNAs: Target Recognition and Regulatory Functions" by Bartel (2009) detailed target recognition mechanisms. Dysregulation occurs in cancers, as noted in oncomir studies.
What is the current state of circular RNA research in diseases?
The field spans 36,143 papers emphasizing microRNA sponging, cancer biomarkers, and exosome links. No recent preprints or news in the last 12 months indicate steady maturation. Core functions remain tied to 2013 Nature papers on sponging and abundance.
Open Research Questions
- ? How do specific circular RNAs influence tumor progression beyond microRNA sponging?
- ? What mechanisms control circular RNA translation in diseased cells?
- ? Which circular RNAs are selectively packaged into exosomes for intercellular transfer in cancer?
- ? How does splicing regulation generate disease-specific circular RNA isoforms?
- ? Can circular RNAs serve as therapeutic targets through modulation of their biogenesis?
Recent Trends
The field holds at 36,143 works with no specified 5-year growth rate.
No preprints in the last 6 months or news in 12 months signal stable consolidation around 2013 discoveries like Memczak et al. on abundance and Hansen et al. (2013) on miRNA sponging.
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