Biogenesis and Regulatory Roles of Circular RNAs

Authors

Li Yang
Jeremy E Wilusz
Ling-Ling Chen

Language

English

Publication Date

10-6-2022

Journal

Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology

DOI

10.1146/annurev-cellbio-120420-125117

PMID

35609906

PMCID

PMC10119891

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

10-6-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Covalently closed, single-stranded circular RNAs can be produced from viral RNA genomes as well as from the processing of cellular housekeeping noncoding RNAs and precursor messenger RNAs. Recent transcriptomic studies have surprisingly uncovered that many protein-coding genes can be subjected to backsplicing, leading to widespread expression of a specific type of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in eukaryotic cells. Here, we discuss experimental strategies used to discover and characterize diverse circRNAs at both the genome and individual gene scales. We further highlight the current understanding of how circRNAs are generated and how the mature transcripts function. Some circRNAs act as noncoding RNAs to impact gene regulation by serving as decoys or competitors for microRNAs and proteins. Others form extensive networks of ribonucleoprotein complexes or encode functional peptides that are translated in response to certain cellular stresses. Overall, circRNAs have emerged as an important class of RNAmolecules in gene expression regulation that impact many physiological processes, including early development, immune responses, neurogenesis, and tumorigenesis.

Keywords

Gene Expression Regulation, MicroRNAs, RNA, RNA, Circular, RNA, Untranslated, RNA, Viral, Ribonucleoproteins, backsplicing, circRNA, microRNA, noncoding RNA, pre-mRNA splicing, translation

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Li Yang, Jeremy E Wilusz, and Ling-Ling Chen, "Biogenesis and Regulatory Roles of Circular RNAs" (2022). Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications. 297.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/staff_pub/297