Insights into circular RNAs: Biogenesis, function and their regulatory roles in cardiovascular disease

As a distinctive member of the noncoding RNA family, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are generated from single-stranded, covalently closed structures and are ubiquitous in mammalian cells and tissues. Due to its atypical circular architecture, it was conventionally deemed insignificant dark matter for a prolonged duration. Nevertheless, studies conducted over the last decade have demonstrated that this abundant, structurally stable and tissue-specific RNA has been increasingly relevant in diverse diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Therefore, regulatory pathways controlled by circRNAs are widely involved in the occurrence and pathological processes of CVDs through their function as miRNA sponges, protein sponges and protein scaffolds. To better understand the role of circRNAs and their complex regulatory networks in CVDs, we summarize current knowledge of their biogenesis and function and the latest research on circRNAs in CVDs, with the hope of paving the way for the identification of promising biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for CVDs.

Automated summary

As a member of the noncoding RNA family, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abundant and tissue-specific in mammalian cells and tissues. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs play important roles in various diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), through their regulatory pathways as miRNA sponges, protein sponges, and protein scaffolds. Understanding the biogenesis, function, and latest research on circRNAs in CVDs may lead to the identification of biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for CVDs.