Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, South University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen, China.
Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany.
Trends Neurosci. 2016 Sep;39(9):597-604. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.06.006. Epub 2016 Jul 18.
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are RNAs with a covalently closed loop structure that have recently regained the attention of biologists. Using deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) coupled with novel bioinformatic approaches, genome-wide studies have detected a large number of circRNAs, many of which are abundant, stable, and well conserved during evolution. With few exceptions, the function of most circRNAs remains elusive. Several recent studies have shown that circRNAs are more enriched in neuronal tissues and are often derived from genes specific for neuronal and synaptic function. Moreover, circRNA expression is regulated during neuronal development and by synaptic plasticity, suggesting specific neuronal functions. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the detection, biogenesis, and potential functions of circRNAs, with a particular focus on brain tissues.
环状 RNA（circRNAs）是具有共价闭环结构的 RNA，最近重新引起了生物学家的关注。利用深度 RNA 测序（RNA-seq）结合新颖的生物信息学方法，全基因组研究已经检测到大量的 circRNAs，其中许多在进化过程中丰富、稳定且高度保守。除了少数例外，大多数 circRNAs 的功能仍然难以捉摸。最近的几项研究表明，circRNAs 在神经元组织中更为丰富，并且通常来自于神经元和突触功能特异性的基因。此外，circRNA 的表达在神经元发育和突触可塑性过程中受到调节，提示其具有特定的神经元功能。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了 circRNAs 的检测、生物发生和潜在功能的最新进展，特别关注脑组织。
