Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are regulatory RNAs that control diverse cellular functions
in health and disease. The functional interactions of ncRNAs with cellular proteins and
other nucleic acids have been vital for controlling cell cycle kinetics, proliferation,
apoptosis, and differentiation. Notably, aberrant expression or activity of ncRNAs,
particularly those of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have
been implicated in hallmarks of cancer including therapeutic resistance.
However, a novel class of regulatory RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) gaining significant interest
in molecular oncology. CircRNAs modulate gene expression through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational control mechanisms primarily by decoying microRNAs (miRNAs) and sequestering proteins. Intriguingly, circRNAs emanating from genes involved in cancer pathways has shown to promote oncogenesis either by influencing the parent gene expression or modulating the activity of other functional molecules. Notably, aberrant expression of circRNAs has been coupled to various aspects of oncogenesis, however, the field is still in its infancy. Therefore, uncovering the underlying circRNAs biology in cancer is crucial to comprehend the complex regulatory networks involved in cancer.
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are regulatory RNAs that control diverse cellular functions
in health and disease. The functional interactions of ncRNAs with cellular proteins and
other nucleic acids have been vital for controlling cell cycle kinetics, proliferation,
apoptosis, and differentiation. Notably, aberrant expression or activity of ncRNAs,
particularly those of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have
been implicated in hallmarks of cancer including therapeutic resistance.
However, a novel class of regulatory RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) gaining significant interest
in molecular oncology. CircRNAs modulate gene expression through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational control mechanisms primarily by decoying microRNAs (miRNAs) and sequestering proteins. Intriguingly, circRNAs emanating from genes involved in cancer pathways has shown to promote oncogenesis either by influencing the parent gene expression or modulating the activity of other functional molecules. Notably, aberrant expression of circRNAs has been coupled to various aspects of oncogenesis, however, the field is still in its infancy. Therefore, uncovering the underlying circRNAs biology in cancer is crucial to comprehend the complex regulatory networks involved in cancer.