School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China.
Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, 400030, China.
Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Nov;280(Pt 2):135659. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135659. Epub 2024 Sep 15.
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of non-coding RNAs with covalently closed structures formed by reverse splicing of precursor mRNAs. The widespread expression of circRNAs across species has been revealed by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics approaches, indicating their unique properties and diverse functions including acting as microRNA sponges and interacting with RNA-binding proteins. Programmed cell death (PCD), encompassing various forms such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis, is an essential process for maintaining normal development and homeostasis in the human body by eliminating damaged, infected, and aging cells. Many studies have demonstrated that circRNAs play crucial roles in tumourigenesis and development by regulating PCD in tumor cells, showing that circRNAs have the potential to be biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the intricate associations between circRNAs and diverse PCD pathways in tumor cells, which play crucial roles in cancer development. Additionally, this review provides a detailed overview of the underlying mechanisms by which circRNAs modulate various forms of PCD for the first time. The ultimate objective is to offer valuable insights into the potential clinical significance of developing novel strategies based on circRNAs and PCD for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
环状 RNA（circRNAs）是一类新型的非编码 RNA，通过前体 mRNA 的反向剪接形成共价闭合结构。高通量测序和生物信息学方法揭示了 circRNAs 在物种间的广泛表达，表明它们具有独特的性质和多种功能，包括作为 microRNA 海绵和与 RNA 结合蛋白相互作用。程序性细胞死亡（PCD）包括凋亡、坏死性凋亡、细胞焦亡、自噬和铁死亡等多种形式，是通过清除受损、感染和衰老细胞来维持人体正常发育和内稳态的重要过程。许多研究表明，circRNAs 通过调节肿瘤细胞中的 PCD 在肿瘤发生和发展中发挥关键作用，表明 circRNAs 有可能成为癌症的生物标志物和治疗靶点。本综述旨在全面总结 circRNAs 与肿瘤细胞中不同 PCD 途径之间的复杂关联，这些关联在癌症发展中起着关键作用。此外，本综述首次详细概述了 circRNAs 调节各种形式的 PCD 的潜在机制。最终目标是为基于 circRNAs 和 PCD 开发癌症诊断、预后和治疗的新策略提供有价值的见解。
