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Journal of Hematology & Oncology
Published in: Journal of Hematology & Oncology 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Review

Circular RNAs in cancer: an emerging key player

Authors: Yeping Dong, Dan He, Zhenzi Peng, Wei Peng, Wenwen Shi, Jun Wang, Bin Li, Chunfang Zhang, Chaojun Duan

Published in: Journal of Hematology & Oncology | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogendous RNAs that form a covalently closed continuous loop and exist extensively in mammalian cells. Majority of circRNAs are conserved across species and often show tissue/developmental stage-specific expression. CircRNAs were first thought to be the result of splicing error; however, subsequent research shows that circRNAs can function as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and regulate splicing and transcription. Emerging evidence shows that circRNAs possess closely associated with human diseases, especially cancers, and may serve as better biomarkers. After miRNA and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), circRNAs are becoming a new hotspot in the field of RNA of cancer. Here, we review biogenesis and metabolism of circRNAs, their functions, and potential roles in cancer.
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Metadata
Title
Circular RNAs in cancer: an emerging key player
Authors
Yeping Dong
Dan He
Zhenzi Peng
Wei Peng
Wenwen Shi
Jun Wang
Bin Li
Chunfang Zhang
Chaojun Duan
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Hematology & Oncology / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1756-8722
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-016-0370-2

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