CircRNAs: A new perspective of biomarkers in the nervous system

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of newly-identified non-coding RNA that lack 5' (cap) and 3' (polyadenylation) ends and are linked by a covalent bond to form a closed loop structure. In comparison to linear RNAs, circRNAs are more resistant to exonuclease RNase R-mediated degradation with a much stronger stability due to the absence of 3' terminals. Consequently, the extraordinary nature of circRNAs enables it to be potentially used as a biomarker and gene targeting. Similarly, circRNAs can play a significant regulatory role in gene expression where it can indirectly regulate the expression of the downstream target genes of microRNAs (miRNAs) by miRNA sponges. The aim of this review is to highlight the function of circRNAs as well as their vital roles in the central nervous system (CNS) regulation and neurological diseases.

Keywords: Biomarker; Circular RNAs; MicroRNA sponge; Nervous system diseases.