Hsiao Kuei-Yang, Sun H Sunny, Tsai Shaw-Jenq
1 Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
2 Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2017 Jun;242(11):1136-1141. doi: 10.1177/1535370217708978. Epub 2017 May 9.
A growing body of evidence indicates that circular RNAs are not simply a side product of splicing but a new class of noncoding RNAs in higher eukaryotes. The progression for the studies of circular RNAs is accelerated by combination of several advanced technologies such as next generation sequencing, gene silencing (small interfering RNAs) and editing (CRISPR/Cas9). More and more studies showed that dysregulated expression of circular RNAs plays critical roles during the development of several human diseases. Herein, we review the current advance of circular RNAs for their biosynthesis, molecular functions, and implications in human diseases. Impact statement The accumulating evidence indicate that circular RNA (circRNA) is a novel class of noncoding RNA with diverse molecular functions. Our review summarizes the current hypotheses for the models of circRNA biosynthesis including the direct interaction between upstream and downstream introns and lariat-driven circularization. In addition, molecular functions such as a decoy of microRNA (miRNA) termed miRNA sponge, transcriptional regulator, and protein-like modulator are also discussed. Finally, we reviewed the potential roles of circRNAs in neural system, cardiovascular system as well as cancers. These should provide insightful information for studying the regulation and functions of circRNA in other model of human diseases.
越来越多的证据表明，环状RNA并非简单的剪接副产物，而是高等真核生物中的一类新型非编码RNA。下一代测序、基因沉默（小干扰RNA）和编辑（CRISPR/Cas9）等多种先进技术的结合加速了环状RNA的研究进程。越来越多的研究表明，环状RNA的表达失调在多种人类疾病的发生发展过程中起着关键作用。在此，我们综述了环状RNA在生物合成、分子功能及其在人类疾病中的意义等方面的研究进展。影响声明：越来越多的证据表明，环状RNA（circRNA）是一类具有多种分子功能的新型非编码RNA。我们的综述总结了目前关于circRNA生物合成模型的假说，包括上游和下游内含子之间的直接相互作用以及套索驱动的环化。此外，还讨论了环状RNA的分子功能，如作为微小RNA（miRNA）诱饵的miRNA海绵、转录调节因子以及类蛋白质调节剂等。最后，我们综述了环状RNA在神经系统、心血管系统以及癌症中的潜在作用。这些内容应为研究环状RNA在其他人类疾病模型中的调控和功能提供有价值的信息。
