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Circular RNAs pp 67–79Cite as

Circular RNAs Act as miRNA Sponges

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1087))

Abstract

Majority of RNAs expressed in animal cells lack protein-coding ability. Unlike other cellular RNAs, circular (circ)RNAs include a large family of noncoding (nc)RNAs that lack the 5′ or 3′ ends. The improvements in high-throughput RNA sequencing and novel bioinformatics tools have led to the identification of thousands of circRNAs in various organisms. CircRNAs can regulate gene expression by influencing the transcription, the mRNA turnover, and translation by sponging RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs. Given the broad impact of circRNA on miRNA activity, there is huge interest in understanding the impact of miRNA sponging by circRNA on gene regulation. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the miRNA-circRNA interaction and mechanisms that influence gene expression.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board, a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (SERB/F/6890/2017-18).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

    Amaresh Chandra Panda

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  1. Amaresh Chandra Panda
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  1. School of Life Science, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China

    Junjie Xiao

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Panda, A.C. (2018). Circular RNAs Act as miRNA Sponges. In: Xiao, J. (eds) Circular RNAs. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1087. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1426-1_6

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