Biomolecules (Mar 2024)

Dysregulated Expression Patterns of Circular RNAs in Cancer: Uncovering Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarker Potential

  • Nicole R. DeSouza,
  • Kate J. Nielsen,
  • Tara Jarboe,
  • Michelle Carnazza,
  • Danielle Quaranto,
  • Kaci Kopec,
  • Robert Suriano,
  • Humayun K. Islam,
  • Raj K. Tiwari,
  • Jan Geliebter

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14040384
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 4
p. 384

Abstract

Read online

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, enclosed, non-coding RNA molecules with dynamic regulatory propensity. Their biogenesis involves a back-splicing process, forming a highly stable and operational RNA molecule. Dysregulated circRNA expression can drive carcinogenic and tumorigenic transformation through the orchestration of epigenetic modifications via extensive RNA and protein-binding domains. These multi-ranged functional capabilities have unveiled extensive identification of previously unknown molecular and cellular patterns of cancer cells. Reliable circRNA expression patterns can aid in early disease detection and provide criteria for genome-specific personalized medicine. Studies described in this review have revealed the novelty of circRNAs and their biological ss as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers.

Keywords