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Molecular Cancer
Published in: Molecular Cancer 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Review

CircRNA: functions and properties of a novel potential biomarker for cancer

Authors: Shujuan Meng, Hecheng Zhou, Ziyang Feng, Zihao Xu, Ying Tang, Peiyao Li, Minghua Wu

Published in: Molecular Cancer | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Circular RNAs, a novel class of endogenous noncoding RNAs, are characterized by their covalently closed loop structures without a 5′ cap or a 3′ Poly A tail. Although the mechanisms of circular RNAs’ generation and function are not fully clear, recent research has shown that circular RNAs may function as potential molecular markers for disease diagnosis and treatment and play an important role in the initiation and progression of human diseases, especially in tumours. This review summarizes some information about categories, biogenesis, functions at the molecular level, properties of circular RNAs and the possibility of circular RNAs as biomarkers in cancers.
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Metadata
Title
CircRNA: functions and properties of a novel potential biomarker for cancer
Authors
Shujuan Meng
Hecheng Zhou
Ziyang Feng
Zihao Xu
Ying Tang
Peiyao Li
Minghua Wu
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Molecular Cancer / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1476-4598
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-017-0663-2

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