RNA topology: Circular RNAs

摘要

A new variety on non-coding RNA (ncRNA) has recently been discovered by several groups: circular RNA (circRNA). CircRNA is an abundant, evolutionary conserved form of ncRNAs. The functions of circRNAs are mostly a mystery although the data indicate that at least some of them serve as microRNA (miRNA) sponges sequestrating miRNAs and, thus, attenuating the miRNAs' gene silencing. In a recent commentary, Dr Maxim Frank-Kamenetskii summarizes what is currently known about circRNAs and discusses intriguing questions raised by their discovery, namely the possibility of the existence of knotted RNA molecules and the existence of a new class of enzymes changing RNA topology, RNA topoisomerases. www.landesbioscience.com/journals/artificialdna/article/24680